Working for New Hampshire Veterans

Statement

Dear Friends,

Commemorating Veterans Day is a humbling experience.

As we take the day to thank those who have served, it is often difficult to comprehend the struggles many of our veterans have endured. I have met so many of our veterans, and each one of their stories is unique. Many are harrowing, others heartrending. The truth is, we may never fully understand the sacrifices they've made--we can only thank them and their families from the bottom of our hearts.

Ensuring our veterans have access to the health benefits they've earned is something I care deeply about, and it was extremely rewarding to finally attend the opening ceremony for the new Veterans' Affairs (VA) health clinic in Keene last month. For far too long, the Monadnock region has been without a clinic, forcing area veterans in need of health care to travel as far away as White River Junction or Manchester for services. As Governor, I supported the drive to bring a clinic to the area and since coming to the Senate, I've pushed for legislation to ensure that veterans have access to a full-service VA hospital or equivalent services in New Hampshire. I'm glad that veterans in the Keene area will now have convenient access to the health care benefits they've earned and deserve.

In addition to ensuring veterans have access to the benefits they deserve, it's important that they are recognized for their service to our country. Occasionally, soldiers don't receive all of the citations and medals they have earned during their time in uniform, and my staff and I work with the military to help secure such medals for them. Last month, I was honored to present Chief Petty Officer Donald Frost with 11 medals for his service in the Navy at a ceremony in Gilford. Chief Frost spent 20 years in the Navy and participated in the search for future President John F. Kennedy's sunken PT 109 while serving in World War II. Earlier this week, I also presented medals to Albert Provencher, Clifford Provencher, and Colonel Robert Fortnam at a ceremony in Manchester. Colonel Fortnam was awarded the U.S Air Force Air Medal for safely crash landing his plane after it came under enemy fire in World War II. I was grateful to have the opportunity to present all these veterans with this long-overdue recognition for their courageous service to our nation.

If you know of anyone who has earned a service medal and has not received it, please don't hesitate to contact my Manchester office at (603) 647-7500 for assistance.

Looking for work after leaving the service can be challenging for veterans, especially for those with service-connected disabilities. This week, the Senate passed a bill that would help veterans find jobs. The VOW to Hire Heroes Act offers tax credits to businesses who hire veterans, funds additional job training for older veterans, and makes it easier for veterans to apply for federal jobs while still on active duty. The bill is bipartisan and doesn't increase the deficit. I'm glad that members of both parties and both chambers of Congress are coming together to support this legislation, and I hope we will soon send it to the President for his signature.

As always, I'm honored to serve our great state and look forward to hearing from you. And to all of our veterans, thank you.

Sincerely,

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