DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a video ahead of Veterans Day.
“From the beginning of our nation’s history, generations of Michiganders and Americans have answered the call to serve our country,” said Senator Peters. “Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize this remarkable patriotism and selflessness… and while we can never fully repay the enormous debt that we owe our veterans and their families, we have a responsibility to ensure that they have our utmost support upon leaving the service.”
Click here for video of Senator Peters’ remarks. Below is the text as delivered:
“From the beginning of our nation’s history – generations of Michiganders and Americans have answered the call to serve our country.
“Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize this remarkable patriotism and selflessness – and honor the dedication of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines and all servicemembers – especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms and values as Americans.
“And while we can never fully repay the enormous debt that we owe our veterans and their families, we have a responsibility to ensure that they have our utmost support upon leaving the service. Veterans represent the very best of our nation, and our military is the strongest in the history of the world because of their efforts and their dedication.
“And that’s why I remain committed to ensuring veterans have access to the benefits, health care, and quality services that they’ve earned: whether it’s receiving the VA benefits that they have earned, or critical care for the invisible wounds of war like PTSD or TBI, or illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange.
“My forefathers fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. They fought with the Union Army in the Civil War. My father is a veteran of World War II, and I was proud to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where I rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Supporting our nation’s veterans is personal to me, so from the bottom of my heart: thank you for your service and for your sacrifice.
“God bless you, God bless all of those currently serving and God bless the United States of America.”
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Gov. Whitmer Signs Proclamation Honoring Veterans Day
LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day to honor Michigan's more than 500,000 veterans and all those who served before them.
"Today, we recognize the Michiganders who served our state and nation in uniform, their families who support them, and those heroes who are no longer with us," said Governor Whitmer. "I am proud to declare November 11 as Veterans Day in Michigan, and I encourage every Michigander to recognize the sacrifices our veterans and their families make to keep us all safe. Let’s work together to ensure the more than 500,000 veterans in Michigan get the health care, housing, education, and opportunities they deserve and make them proud to call Michigan home."
“Veterans Day provides us with an opportunity to thank veterans for their selflessness, sacrifices, resilience and for their outstanding service to our state and nation," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "Less than 10% of all U.S. adults are veterans and we owe each of them our deepest gratitude for their contributions to our freedom, security and democracy.”
While there are many ways to celebrate Veterans Day, including flying the U.S. flag, volunteering at a local veterans home, or donating to a veterans charity, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency wants to encourage veterans to apply for VA benefits and volunteer to mentor fellow veterans.
"As a medically-retired veteran, I know first-hand how challenging it is to navigate the various benefits we are entitled to for our service," said Zaneta Adams, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and a U.S. Army veteran. "The MVAA proudly supports our veterans across Michigan and will be here to support their needs. Veteran families can lean on us to get connected to resources for emergency assistance, education, employment, and health and welfare."
Originally known as Armistice Day, and designated by Congress in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954, naming it Veterans Day ever since. For more information on upcoming events taking place throughout the state in honor of Veterans Day, please visit the events calendar at www.michigan.gov/mvaa.
Buddy Poppy Day in Michigan
Governor Whitmer also declared November 11 as Buddy Poppy Day in Michigan, honoring the long-standing tradition of distributing Buddy Poppies to raise money for veterans in need by the Michigan Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion. Poppies serve as a reminder of those who have sacrificed their lives for our country and the state of Michigan, and can be worn or used to decorate graves or memorial sites.
View the full Veterans Day proclamation here.
View the Buddy Poppy Day proclamation here.
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