Issue Position: Veterans & Military Families

Issue Position

The service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families must not be overlooked. As President Lincoln said in his second Inaugural address, "…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

This is our obligation to all those who have bravely served our country.

Bill has strong family ties and a long-standing commitment to veterans and military families. His father was a veteran's service officer for 30 years, and from him, Bill learned the importance of fighting for our service men and women and their families. His grandmother was a Gold Star mother, and from her, Bill learned how valuable the contributions and sacrifices of military families are to the fabric of our nation.

Bill is currently working with the Veterans Administration to ensure that they keep their promise to the South Shore and open a clinic for veterans in Plymouth. This much-needed clinic will serve an area which has the fastest-growing veteran population in eastern Massachusetts. Without a facility, veterans residing in this area face excessively long drive times to the nearest VA clinic, which is in either Brockton or Hyannis. Bill is fighting through the obstacles and red tape, and has urged the VA to move efficiently so our nation's heroes can get the benefits that they have earned.

He has also been leading efforts on job creation for returning service members and veterans. As a member of the Small Business Committee, he has urged Small Business Administrator Karen Mills to more effectively communicate SBA loan opportunities to veterans who need assistance now. His Post 9/11 GI Jobs Plan targets veteran unemployment by offering tax credits to employers who hire Post 9/11 veterans. Additionally, the plan encourages veteran workforce development in the green sector by providing businesses with a tax deduction for additional job training provided to veteran employees.

Bill established his Veterans Advisory Group in April 2011. He is working with local veterans to better represent our military community and current service members.

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