One of my greatest honors as your senator is taking part in Veterans Day tributes throughout Southwest Michigan to thank our service men and women for their outstanding dedication.

We can never fully thank our courageous veterans enough for putting their country before themselves so that America may remain the land of the free. Understanding this debt to our veterans and their families for their enormous sacrifices, I am proud that we have made significant strides to show our deep appreciation in a meaningful way.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) provides valuable services — from job resources to medical benefits and transition assistance — to our state’s more than 660,000 military veterans, which is the 11th largest veteran population in the nation.

Proos encouraged all Michigan veterans to contact the agency at 1-800-MICH-VET or on their website at www.MichiganVeterans.com. By calling the toll-free number, veterans can use the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center, which provides veterans access to federal benefit programs, state services and local resources.

Unfortunately, veterans often face real challenges transitioning into new careers when returning home, which is why I supported new laws to help them transfer their military skills and experience to the private sector or to pursuing a college degree.

Veterans and military service members can now apply their military experience and education toward college credit, and their military training can now be accepted as part of the licensing requirements for several occupations, such as firefighters and security guards.

On the MVAA website, visitors can learn more about the Veteran-Friendly School program that recognizes schools offering veterans services and support or find information on the Certified Veteran-Friendly Employer Program that connects veterans with employers that are committed to recruiting, training and retaining top veteran talent.

Thankfully, America’s finest have always answered the call to stand up for freedom and liberty. Southwest Michigan is home to more than 57,000 veterans, who served their country to ensure that we could live in the land of the free.

In heartfelt appreciation of our veterans, I urge all area residents to thank these heroes throughout the year for their sacrifice and service. May God bless our veterans.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.