As our nation celebrates Veterans Day, I would like to thank Veterans everywhere for their service and sacrifice to our country. Throughout the history of our great nation, veterans have answered the call to duty and have long fought to protect American interests at home and abroad. They have defended the very values of democracy that make our nation so great. Today I say to them: I salute you for your patriotism and commitment to keeping our country safe and strong.

With four military installations in the Seventh Congressional District of Ohio, including Wright Paterson Air Force Base, I recognize daily the great sacrifices our men and women serving in the military and their families have made and continue to make around the world. We show our appreciation and honor them on Veterans Day with ceremonies and events in local communities, as well as, nationally at Arlington National Cemetery each year. On Friday, the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011, I encourage everyone to join me in remembering and honoring our veterans across our nation.

As a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to fight for those issues important to all of our veterans. My office is committed to helping with disability, healthcare and survivor benefits; job placement and educational training; as well as other programs that are important to veterans. Additionally, I will be holding two Veterans Benefits Workshop on November 21, in Circleville and at Wright State University. I encourage anyone that is interested to call my Lancaster District Office at (740) 654-5149 or my Springfield District Office at (937) 325-0474 for more details and to sign up.

My office is also available year round to help veterans receive their rightful benefits. Some of the things I can assist with include:

HELP WITH THE VA AND OTHER AGENCIES
Navigating the federal bureaucracy can be extremely difficult at times. My staff is well-trained to assist you in this process. Veterans deal with many agencies following active-duty service, including the VA and the Department of Defense. Let us help you with this process—please contact one of my offices today.

HELP SECURING SERVICE MEDALS
Many veterans are unaware they may be entitled to medals for their service. I am honored to assist veterans in Ohio’s 7th District in obtaining the service medals they are entitled to. If you think you may be eligible for military service medals, please call one of my offices.

HELP WITH VA HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility for veterans’ health care benefits is based on active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during World War II), and being discharged under honorable conditions. Learn about the benefits you may be eligible for at www.vba.va.gov or call 1-877-222-8387. If you need assistance dealing with the VA, please contact any of my offices.

HELP TRANSITIONING BACK HOME
The VA provides a Transition Assistance Program and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (TAP/DTAP) to give service members helpful information as they transition back to civilian life. For more information, please visit www.seamlesstransition.va.gov or contact one of my offices for assistance.

Though Veterans Day comes but once a year and presents a great opportunity for us to revere and honor all the Veterans in our lives, my office stands ready to assist Veterans every day. It is a small price to pay in exchange for the sacrifice you have made to our country, but we are truly grateful. God bless you, and God bless America!