Wyden Introduces Five Bills to Help National Guard and their Families

Senator Ron Wyden introduced a set of five bills to help National Guard members and their families with the transition back to civilian life.  The bill also includes a way to keep wounded soldiers in the military and give more information about medical facilities.

It was a message people like Donna Herr, a military mom, needed to hear.  Like other families torn apart by deployment, she sits at home and looks at an empty chair that could be filled by her son who is now overseas.  Herr says, "There's always the worry.  There's always the stress."

That's why Sen. Wyden is bringing the bills to the table.  Wyden says of the transition back home, "You can't just go from one night to holding a rifle in Iraq to holding your child in Medford without expecting the need for some transition."

It's something one husband knows too well.  Col. Bill Schutz says, "I have two daughters and it's tough not having a father around and tough that nobody can really understand."

But now Shutz says he's happy because he thinks someone finally does.

Senator Wyden says he'll introduce those bills in Congress next week.  For now, those "Soft Landing" bills are on his website for public comment.