Dear Friends, 

On Veterans Day, it’s critical that we take the time to honor those who have answered the call to serve our nation. Since the Revolutionary War, men and women from New Jersey have stepped up to fight for, protect, and defend our democracy and the freedoms we hold dear. Today, I want to thank all of our New Jersey veterans – and their families – for their service to our country.

We can never fully repay our veterans the full debt of gratitude they are owed, but we have an obligation to do our part. As a proud Navy veteran, I remain laser focused on ensuring that New Jersey’s veterans have access to all of the resources and support they need to be able to thrive when they transition to civilian life. 

Continue reading below to learn more about some of my recent efforts to expand job opportunities, mental health resources, and cancer screenings for our veterans. Additionally, my office is always here to help our veterans in need – visit my website or call my office at (973) 526-5668 if you are in need of assistance with VA benefits. 

P.S. I hope you’ll join my office in our fourth annual Thanksgiving Thank Yous for Veterans, where we write holiday cards to distribute to veterans across North Jersey! Learn more here. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Mikie Sherrill

Member of Congress

For years, veterans and veterans advocates in North Jersey have been working tirelessly to expand mental healthcare access to veterans in Northwest New Jersey with a new Vet Center. That’s why, as part of my Jersey STRONG agenda, the first five bills I introduced in this Congress, I introduced the bipartisan Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act to use census and VA data to identify where expanded Vet Center access is needed – including in places like northwest New Jersey.

Back in April, we welcomed Veterans Affairs (VA) Undersecretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal to Morristown to open the VA’s new Community Access Point in Morristown and establish a Vet Center Outstation in Hackettstown. While I will continue to keep fighting hard to bring a full Vet Center to our region, I am glad to see that these two sites are providing care to veterans in our community.

If you are a veteran looking to schedule an appointment at the Morristown or Hackettstown counseling sites, call the Bloomfield Vet Center at 973-748-0980 to set up an appointment at the location most convenient to you.

The transition from military to civilian life for many of our service members is not an easy one – and it’s our responsibility to ensure that no veteran is left behind. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to connect service members transitioning to civilian life with apprenticeship and job training programs, as well as colleges and universities across New Jersey. My legislation will help to ensure that veterans are able to succeed once leaving the armed forces while addressing the workforce shortages businesses are facing across the Garden State. 

Earlier this year, I introduced the Secure Storage Information Act, legislation that will expand access to secure storage information and reduce the cost of purchasing secure storage devices for gun owners. The bill will make it significantly easier for veterans to safely store their firearms at home – through expanded information, better access to storage devices, and lower costs – which in turn will help to reduce accidental shootings and firearm deaths. 

I hosted a roundtable discussion with local gun safety advocates, law enforcement, veterans, elected officials, and community members to talk about the importance of this legislation. Secure storage is a key method in reducing veteran suicide – with one in three veteran firearm owners storing at least one firearm unlocked and loaded in their homes. Expert studies have shown that secure storage is critical to providing time and space for suicidal impulses to pass, serving as a buffer so individuals can seek help.

Two years ago I fought to pass the PACT Act to give veterans who have been exposed to toxic burn pits better access to healthcare and benefits. Since being signed into law by President Biden, the PACT Act has provided over one million veterans exposed to toxic burn pits with cancer screenings and appropriate care. 

Visit the VA’s website to learn more about how to sign up for benefits if you are eligible.

My team works hard every day to provide services for citizens all across NJ-11. Many of these individuals are veterans, and here is one of their stories. My team was honored to help Robert when he needed help ensuring his family member had his hard-earned military honors at his funeral.

To read more constituent success stories, click here.

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Contact Me

Washington DC Office
1427 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5034
Fax: (202) 225-3186

Livingston District Office
357 S. Livingston Avenue
Suite 201
Livingston, NJ 07039

Phone: (973) 526-5668