Larsen Honors Service Members and Veterans

Statement

Rep Rick Larsen released the following statement to honor service members and veterans this Memorial Day.

"Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. It is a solemn day to remember those who died serving our country. On Memorial Day and every day, I join you in honoring those who gave their lives to keep us safe.

"This Memorial Day comes at a time when many men and women in the armed forces are deployed around the globe. As a nation, we owe a debt to them and to all veterans who have served and sacrificed.

"The Second District is home to over 75,000 veterans as well as Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, two military installations that are vital to our national security and regional economy. One of my most important responsibilities as a member of Congress and a member of the House Armed Services Committee is to support our service members, veterans and their families, ensuring that they get the benefits they have earned and deserve.

"In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever that we make sure the men and women who put their lives on the line for this country are able to find good jobs. I supported increasing work opportunities for veterans by cosponsoring H.R. 865, the Veterans Employment Transition (VETS) Act, which would provide a tax credit to employers for hiring veterans that recently discharged from the military.

"It is important that the men and women who served our country get the retirement pay they earned and deserve. I supported providing full benefits to veterans eligible for both military retiree pay and disability compensation by cosponsoring H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, which would end the prohibition of receiving both pay and compensation. I also supported providing full benefits to families eligible for both military retiree pay and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) by cosponsoring H.R. 178, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act.

"Unfortunately, too many veterans are struggling with homelessness. I am working to help at-risk and homeless veterans by increasing their access to stable housing by cosigning a letter to House Appropriators encouraging full funding of the HUD/VASH programs, which gives homeless veterans, or veterans at-risk of becoming homeless, housing vouchers.

"I worked hard to bring veterans' health care closer to home by teaming up with local veterans to open the veterans' clinic in Mount Vernon. Veterans in Northwest Washington fought hard to protect our country and fought hard to make this clinic a reality. It is great to see so many local veterans enrolling at this clinic so they no longer have to travel to Seattle to get the health care and services they need and deserve.

"I am pleased to share that Mount Vernon's Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) will be adding additional specialty care services. With mental health services already established, audiology will be online in May, ophthalmology in June and dental services following soon after.

"Helping veterans, their families and survivors is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Please contact my office at our toll free phone number: 800.562.1385 if you need help finding the status of a VA claim, obtaining un-awarded service medals, obtaining service records from the National Personnel Records Center, or if you want a flag flown over the United States Capitol in a family member's honor."

Source