Momentum continues to build for the upcoming Veterans Care Fairs I am hosting in Des Moines today and Council Bluffs Thursday. Currently more than 40 organizations plan to attend one or more of the events, including representatives from the VA Central Iowa Health Care System, U.S. Small Business Administration, American Legion of Iowa, Operation Home Base Iowa and more.
John Derner, the Iowa Department Adjutant at the American Legion, is scheduled to serve as the organization’s representative.
“The American Legion is proud to support the Veterans Care Fairs,” Derner said. “It provides us with an outstanding opportunity to educate veterans and their families about services available to them and inform them of the benefits they have earned but may not be receiving.”
These annual fairs are so important because our men and women in uniform, as well as their families, make tremendous sacrifices when fulfilling their duties in service to our country. Veterans and service members in Iowa have served in every conflict from World War II to those of present day, and when they return home, it is our utmost responsibility to look out for them and ensure they have access to the information and resources they rightfully deserve.
Members of my staff will be in attendance at each of the fairs to remind folks in Iowa’s Third Congressional District of the constituent services available to them, including help with veterans’ benefits, assistance in dealing with federal government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and much more. Individuals who are unable to attend either events but are interested in learning more about the constituent services we are able to provide are encouraged to visit my website for more information at Young.House.Gov.
Operation Home Base Iowa, another organization planning to attend the Veterans Care Fairs, will have Program Manager Jason Kemp on hand as a representative.
“HBI partners with over 1,300 businesses, 40 communities and 20 higher education institutions across the state, and we are just getting started,” Kemp said. “Iowa takes pride in helping veterans and their families; it’s just one way we as a state give back to those who have served our country.”
As Iowa veterans, families and service members prepare to attend the Veterans Care Fairs in Des Moines or Treynor in a few weeks, I also want to remind them of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration I have organized. To honor living and deceased Vietnam Era Veterans and their families, these commemorations will feature a presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of our national anthem and special remarks. Vietnam Veterans, or family members of deceased Vietnam Veterans, are all welcome to participate. United States Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time or in any location during the period of Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, are eligible to receive the official “Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin” at the ceremony. For additional information about the ceremony or the pin presentation, or to confirm participation in the ceremony, contact my Des Moines constituent services office at 515-282-1909.
I am humbled by the sacrifices our veterans, their families and our service members have made in support of our nation, and I look forward to helping provide resources and information available to them at the upcoming Veterans Care Fairs in just a few weeks.