LANSING — “You served our country. You wore the uniform.”

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency’s new statewide television ad begins simply enough, but it ends with a message MVAA hopes each of the state’s 660,000 veterans hears and remembers – the agency is here for Michigan veterans and their families every step of the way.

The TV ad features four veterans — transitioning from active duty, getting ready for a job interview, exercising with his service dog and enjoying retirement – representing MVAA’s four pillars of education, employment, health care and quality of life. It invites those who have served to connect with MVAA to ask any questions about veteran benefits they have or resolve any barriers they face.

With just one call to 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838), veterans and their families can access thousands of resources around the clock.

“Assistance is just a phone call away,” said MVAA Director Jeff Barnes. “This TV ad is a reflection of how our agency works to help veterans in all walks of life, whether they took off the uniform six months or 60 years ago.”

The commercial is part of a comprehensive advertising campaign launched to coincide with Veterans Day and introduce MVAA’s new theme: One call. One stop. 24/7 veteran resources.

It’s a message the agency wants all Michigan citizens to share with the veterans in their lives as well.

“As an agency, we have been serving veterans around the clock for nearly three years, but we still hear people say they don’t know about us or the services we provide,” Barnes said. “When you see the TV ad or a billboard on the highway, share it with your dad, your niece or your coworker who’s a veteran. We want to use this ad campaign as a conversation starter about their service to our country and how MVAA can connect them with the benefit they’ve earned.”

The TV ad, which can be viewed at MichiganVeterans.com, is the latest leg of the campaign, complementing billboards, statewide radio and digital ads that highlight how one simple call or click can connect veterans with the federal, state and local benefits they’ve earned.

About the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

MVAA serves as the central coordinating point for Michigan veterans, connecting those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, to services and benefits throughout the state. Learn more at MichiganVeterans.com or call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838).