Veterans Day, – November 11, 2021

In times of relative peace, it is easy for us to forget our U.S. Military veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country.  Men and women join the Army, Air Force or Navy and leave their families and friends behind as they travel to all corners or the globe to demonstrate America’s might and resolve to fight for freedom. They place themselves in danger because that is they accept danger as their duty.

The American military – whether it be ground forces, ships at sea or fighter jets — represents a sign of hope for the oppressed and comfort in knowing that someone is there to help them fight the oppressors.

Those who serve and return home often get lost in our society. They are all around us – and are usually anonymous. But many suffer from trauma or deprivation because of the toll that military service has taken on them.

America is a wealthy country, and we should do all we can to help veterans enjoy safe and productive lives and ensure they never live with deprivation.

In advance of Veterans Day, I sponsored a measure in the General Assembly to increase annual payments to blind and other wartime-service disabled veterans. The measure was unanimously approved by the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Under the bill (A2559), service members in programs for blind and paralyzed veterans would receive an annual assistance increase to $1,800 from $750. The amount disabled veterans receive in these programs has not changed in 40 to 50 years. They earned these annual payments by sacrificing life and limb in selfless service to our country.

While America is now spending billions of dollars to care for illegal immigrants, it would be shameful – and disrespectful if we did not act to provide better care for our veterans. I trust my colleagues in the State legislature will agree.

I want to express my thanks to all our nation’s military veterans for their commitment to maintaining a strong America.

God Bless You

BettyLou DeCroce

Assemblywoman