Jason Kander Hosts Listening Session with Veterans and Military Families in Troy

Press Release

Jason Kander this afternoon met with veterans and military families from Troy to hear about veterans' experiences returning home from service and how Congress can play a more active role in addressing the challenges they face upon return. Jason, who in August released his key military records, is a former Captain in the Missouri Army National Guard and Officer Candidate School instructor at Fort Leonard Wood. He volunteered to serve in Afghanistan as a military intelligence officer.

"Senator Blunt and I have different perspectives on national security. His perspective comes from sitting in committee hearings in Washington for 20 years. I worked on the ground in Afghanistan gathering intelligence and I know what it means to risk personal safety for the protection of our country," Jason said. "As Senator, I look forward to bringing that perspective to the national security conversation and making sure we support our veterans who have given so much to their country."

"It was clear listening to Jason that the same sense of duty that propelled him to serve his country in Afghanistan, is what drives him to public service today," said George Thornhill, a veteran of the Korean War. "We need a new generation of leadership in Washington from folks who know what it means to put your country ahead of your party."

Jason has worked to make sure every veteran has an opportunity for gainful employment upon finishing their military career. As Secretary of State, Jason successfully pushed through his Startups for Soldiers Act, which waived business start-up fees for members of the Missouri National Guard and active duty military members returning to Missouri. He also created a first-of-its-kind website to allow deployed members of the military to request an absentee ballot online, and made it possible for deployed service members to file for elected office by proxy.

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