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?This nation will remain the land of the free, only so long as it is the home of the brave.??? Elmer Davis
This Saturday, Americans across the country will pause to honor those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf to protect our beautiful nation. I want to sincerely thank our Veterans who put their nation first and sacrificed so much to defend our freedom.
There is much that we can do to show our appreciation to those men and women who have made such a profound and lasting impact in service to the United States of America. This year, I was proud to champion a bipartisan Veterans? funding bill that provided our heroes with the resources they need and deserve:
- Additional funding in bonus payments to post 9/11 veterans and expanded eligibility so that more veterans could receive this financial support;
- Funding for new Veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston; and
- Increased Veterans GI tuition and apprenticeship benefits so that veterans have access to more opportunities to further their careers,
If you would like additional information on any of the above items, please visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.mn.gov/mdva/.
Many of our men and women who served are people we know, from all walks of life. I am proud and honored to be able to call my friend Bob Dettmer, who formerly served in the Minnesota House, a real-life hero.?His unique and lengthy service as a Chief Warrant Officer in our Army, deploying after working as a teacher in Forest Lake, emphasizes the ordinary yet inspiring courage of those who felt the call to service. He and thousands of other heroes among the branches of our military are remembered this Saturday, having blessed us with a level of prosperity and liberty that the millions of people in America have the singular privilege of experiencing.
As you go about your day on Saturday, I hope that you will also pause, say a prayer, and take time to express your gratitude for the brave men and women who have served to protect the wonderful and unique country we are blessed to call home.
May God bless all of our veterans!?
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