Dear Friend,

Today, on Veterans Day, we recognize the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have committed their lives to protecting our nation.

Michigan is home to more than 486,000 veterans and their families. They have given so much to ensure that we all can enjoy the freedoms we cherish and live safely in the country we love. That’s why we will continue working together to invest in our veterans, making sure they have high-quality health care, affordable housing, economic opportunity, and so much more.

This Veterans Day, I encourage you to reflect on the service of Michigan's veterans by checking out some of the stories on the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency’s I Served. I Am a Veteran website, a statewide outreach campaign we launched to engage veterans, hear their stories, and connect them to benefits. 

In Michigan, we’re doing the work to stand up for servicemembers, veterans, and military families. My office has appointed over 100 active military and veterans to numerous statewide boards and commissions to ensure their voices are heard. We have invested in facilities for veterans and servicemembers and provided paths to opportunity and career advancement. We worked across the aisle to secure funding for a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, keeping hundreds of military families in our state and shoring up our reputation as a leader in national security.

I am grateful for the courage and selflessness of Michigan’s servicemembers, veterans, and their families. They fought for us, and we will continue to fight for them.

Sincerely,

Investing in Opportunities for Veterans

In Michigan, we’re committed to supporting our veterans and their families in every aspect of life. We’re proud to invest in resources that help our heroes thrive.

Michigan Veterans Homes

Since I took office, we have opened two new Michigan Veteran Homes in Chesterfield Township and Grand Rapids to provide long-term care and important services for our country’s heroes. In May, I was in the U.P. to break ground on the new D.J. Jacobetti Veterans Home in Marquette, a new, state-of-the-art facility that will ensure veterans in the U.P. will always have a place to call home and receive high-quality care.

Paths to Education and Good-paying Jobs

• In 2021, I signed bipartisan bills to make it easier for military service members, veterans, and their families to receive a professional license within the state.
• In 2023, I signed a bipartisan bill expanding our National Guard tuition assistance program to cover spouses and dependents, lowering the cost of higher education for military families.
• In 2023, I also signed legislation lowering costs for families of disabled veterans by eliminating red tape and ensuring spouses can maintain property tax exemptions.
• Last year, I signed legislation expanding eligibility of the Disabled Veteran registration plate. The plate also provides veterans with free access to Michigan state parks.
• Last week, I signed legislation to support Michigan’s National Guard members by establishing a Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund to put more money back in servicemembers’ pockets. Specifically, the fund would help Michigan National Guard members afford childcare, health care, and tuition, pending final approval from the legislature.

Connecting Vets to the Resources and Benefits They Have Earned

Today and every day, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is here to meet the needs of Michigan veterans. If you are a veteran, make sure you know the benefits and resources available to you by calling 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or visiting www.michigan.gov/MVAA.

Standing Up for Selfridge

This year, we secured a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. This bipartisan win for Michigan will grow our economy, keep expert talent in state, and support military jobs at the base.

Without the new fighter mission, Selfridge was at risk of losing its current fighter squadron, which would have cost the base critical Michigan jobs and $30 million in lost wages. Now, Selfridge is positioned to keep expert talent in Michigan, like pilots and maintenance workers, and to support thousands of military families and civilian jobs at the base.

These investments signal to the world that Michigan is the best place to pioneer the next innovations in national defense. Selfridge is a key defense hub and an economic anchor. We are proud to continue investing in its future.

Veterans Small Business Week: November 3-7

Last week, we celebrated Veterans Small Business Week. We dedicated this week to recognizing the hard work of our veterans who have chosen to embark on the path of small business ownership.

Small businesses, including those owned by veterans, are the backbone of our communities and create jobs, spur innovation, and boost local demand for professional services. We are grateful for those veterans and their families who continue to give back to their communities after serving our country in uniform.

I encourage everyone to shop at a small business and support their communities this month and every month!