Honoring All Who Served
Honoring All Who Served NOVEMBER 2016 — THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! Dear Friend: Throughout our state’s history, Michigan’s servicemen and women have answered our nation’s call to duty with honor and valor. We are proud of our veterans and committed to supporting the heroes who have kept our country strong and free. This report, Honoring All Who Served, provides legislative news, along with information of special interest to Vietnam veterans, and an update on the defense industry in Michigan. I hope you find it informative. As always, please contact me with any questions, concerns or suggestions on how we can better serve those who have served. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
PETER MacGREGOR
MacGREGOR BACKS NEW LAW TO SAFEGUARD VETERANS’ CARE Our servicemen and women have made many sacrifices in service to our country. Certainly, we owe them the best care possible. I recently supported Senate legislation—now law—to make sure our veterans receive quality care and treatment. Public Act 198 of 2016 creates an ombudsman’s office to investigate and resolve complaints at the state’s two veterans’ homes — the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. Under the new law, the office will be able to inspect, on its own initiative or by request, either facility to determine possible health or safety issues. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and deserve the best possible care. This law ensures they will get just that — the highest quality care that they have earned and deserve.
Michigan Senate Remembers
SENATE DISTRICT 28 TOLL FREE 855.347.8028 E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorPeterMacGregor.com
MICHIGAN DEFENSE CENTER PLAN TARGETS GROWTH
For the 22nd year in a row, a special Senate Memorial Day service paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. The ceremony was held on Thursday, May 26, 2016.
From our manufacturing capabilities to engineering and R & D talent, Michigan has what it takes to continue playing an important role in the nation’s defense sector. This summer, the Michigan Defense Center introduced a strategic plan to expand opportunities in the defense industry.
DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY INDUSTRY IN MI
The Protect and Grow plan aims to preserve current defense operations and jobs and target growth areas like aerospace, lightweight materials and autonomous vehicles. With leadership positions in the automotive and cybersecurity industries, Michigan is well positioned to further develop new opportunities.
DEFENSE AND HOMELAND Involves 4,000 businesses SECURITY INDUSTRY IN Adds $8 billion to the state economy MICHIGAN
Find more information at www.arsenalofinnovation.com.
Provides 105,000 jobs
Secures billions of dollars in contracts ($4.7 B in 2012) Provides 105,000 jobs Involves 4,000 businesses
VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY The U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration, a national 50th anniversary remembrance, provides the opportunity to properly honor and thank Vietnam veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service to our country. As part of the program, a special welcome home event –Michigan Says Thanks – was held at the Michigan Capitol last fall. The long-overdue national tribute spans 13 years – from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025. Find more information, including an historical timeline, fact sheets and photo galleries, at www.vietnamwar50th.com.
VIETNAM VETERAN LAPEL PIN The Michigan Legislature has hosted a variety of events to honor and recognize our Vietnam era vets. A highlight of the ceremonies is the presentation of a Vietnam War lapel pin to each veteran. The symbolism attached to the lapel pin is significant. The back of the pin also bears the poignant message, “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.” A U.S. veteran who served on active duty at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 — May 15, 1975, regardless of location, is eligible to receive a pin. Please contact my office or visit www.vietnamwar50th.com for information on commemorative events.
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES Michigan is proud to offer many veteran and military service license plates. Veterans who served in the Vietnam War are eligible to purchase the Vietnam War Veteran plate. Those who earned the Vietnam service medal are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal Veteran Plate. Find more information, including an application form, at www.michigan.gov/sos; click on Owning a Vehicle. For questions regarding the application, required documents or registration fees, contact the Department of State Information Center at 888-767-6424.
STATE SENATOR
MEMORIAL HONORS MICHIGAN’S FALLEN The Michigan Vietnam Veterans Monument honors state residents who served and died in the Vietnam War. The monument lists the names of the fallen by county in alphabetical order on 15 steel plaques. It is located in Michigan Veterans Memorial Park, adjacent to the Michigan Hall of Justice on Allegan St. in Lansing. Sales of a specialty license plate featuring silver dog tags and the reminder, “Lest We Forget,” provide support for the memorial. More than $660,000 has been raised since 2001.
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS Along with veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict, honorably discharged veterans who served in the Vietnam War before completing high school are eligible to be awarded a high school diploma. An application form with instructions is available at www.MichiganVeterans.com. The application should be submitted to the school district the veteran was enrolled in at the time of enlistment for processing. It can be completed by the veteran or by his or her spouse, sibling, child or grandchild.
PETER MacGREGOR • Toll-Free: 855.347.8028
S TAT E S E N AT O R
PETER MacGREGOR
MacGREGOR BACKS NEW LAW TO SAFEGUARD VETERANS’ CARE Our servicemen and women have made many sacrifices in service to our country. Certainly, we owe them the best care possible. I recently supported Senate legislation—now law—to make sure our veterans receive quality care and treatment. Public Act 198 of 2016 creates an ombudsman’s office to investigate and resolve complaints at the state’s two veterans’ homes — the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. Under the new law, the office will be able to inspect, on its own initiative or by request, either facility to determine possible health or safety issues. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and deserve the best possible care. This law ensures they will get just that — the highest quality care that they have earned and deserve.
Michigan Senate Remembers
SENATE DISTRICT 28 TOLL FREE 855.347.8028 E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorPeterMacGregor.com
MICHIGAN DEFENSE CENTER PLAN TARGETS GROWTH
For the 22nd year in a row, a special Senate Memorial Day service paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. The ceremony was held on Thursday, May 26, 2016.
From our manufacturing capabilities to engineering and R & D talent, Michigan has what it takes to continue playing an important role in the nation’s defense sector. This summer, the Michigan Defense Center introduced a strategic plan to expand opportunities in the defense industry.
DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY INDUSTRY IN MI
The Protect and Grow plan aims to preserve current defense operations and jobs and target growth areas like aerospace, lightweight materials and autonomous vehicles. With leadership positions in the automotive and cybersecurity industries, Michigan is well positioned to further develop new opportunities.
DEFENSE AND HOMELAND Involves 4,000 businesses SECURITY INDUSTRY IN Adds $8 billion to the state economy MICHIGAN
Find more information at www.arsenalofinnovation.com.
Provides 105,000 jobs
Secures billions of dollars in contracts ($4.7 B in 2012) Provides 105,000 jobs Involves 4,000 businesses
VIETNAM WAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY The U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration, a national 50th anniversary remembrance, provides the opportunity to properly honor and thank Vietnam veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service to our country. As part of the program, a special welcome home event –Michigan Says Thanks – was held at the Michigan Capitol last fall. The long-overdue national tribute spans 13 years – from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025. Find more information, including an historical timeline, fact sheets and photo galleries, at www.vietnamwar50th.com.
VIETNAM VETERAN LAPEL PIN The Michigan Legislature has hosted a variety of events to honor and recognize our Vietnam era vets. A highlight of the ceremonies is the presentation of a Vietnam War lapel pin to each veteran. The symbolism attached to the lapel pin is significant. The back of the pin also bears the poignant message, “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.” A U.S. veteran who served on active duty at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 — May 15, 1975, regardless of location, is eligible to receive a pin. Please contact my office or visit www.vietnamwar50th.com for information on commemorative events.
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES Michigan is proud to offer many veteran and military service license plates. Veterans who served in the Vietnam War are eligible to purchase the Vietnam War Veteran plate. Those who earned the Vietnam service medal are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal Veteran Plate. Find more information, including an application form, at www.michigan.gov/sos; click on Owning a Vehicle. For questions regarding the application, required documents or registration fees, contact the Department of State Information Center at 888-767-6424.
STATE SENATOR
MEMORIAL HONORS MICHIGAN’S FALLEN The Michigan Vietnam Veterans Monument honors state residents who served and died in the Vietnam War. The monument lists the names of the fallen by county in alphabetical order on 15 steel plaques. It is located in Michigan Veterans Memorial Park, adjacent to the Michigan Hall of Justice on Allegan St. in Lansing. Sales of a specialty license plate featuring silver dog tags and the reminder, “Lest We Forget,” provide support for the memorial. More than $660,000 has been raised since 2001.
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS Along with veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict, honorably discharged veterans who served in the Vietnam War before completing high school are eligible to be awarded a high school diploma. An application form with instructions is available at www.MichiganVeterans.com. The application should be submitted to the school district the veteran was enrolled in at the time of enlistment for processing. It can be completed by the veteran or by his or her spouse, sibling, child or grandchild.
PETER MacGREGOR • Toll-Free: 855.347.8028
