Dear Friends,
I have always seen our nation’s men and women in uniform as America’s greatest asset, and they are a top priority for me as your representative in Washington. It is our responsibility to make sure our country and our community care for our heroes when they come home. Texas District 12’s veterans’ service organizations are dedicated to making sure no veteran is ever forgotten, especially the over 55,300 veterans in our district.
Too often, our heroes find themselves fighting for careers when they return to the home front. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 310,000 veterans nationwide are looking for work. Local veterans’ service organizations like the Texas Veterans Commission and Texas Workforce Commission help our heroes transition from boots to business with resumé writing, interview skills training, and job placement. Last year, Texas Workforce Commission helped over 2,300 veterans with career services in Parker, Tarrant, and Wise Counties, alone!
Military members have endured a lifestyle unlike any other, and they are often affected by service-related health issues. Many of our local veterans turn to Texas Veterans Commission, Disabled American Veterans, and Tarrant County Veterans Service for help with the processes and documentation they need to get the care they deserve.
Sometimes, my office hears from veterans frustrated from calling one organization after another without finding the right resource they need for their specific issue. TXServes–North Texas, partially sponsored by United Way of Tarrant County, helps veterans find the right organization for their needs from its network of 95 public, private, and non-profit groups, and follows up until the case is resolved.
American Legion Posts, like Parker County American Legion Post 163, also help veterans and their families by providing mentoring, scholarships, and a meeting place for veterans who seek support or even social activities, turning strangers to some into family for all. Today, Parker County American Legion Post 163 celebrates 100 years of helping our community’s veterans!
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, I have been working with groups like the Department of Veterans Affairs and United Services Organization to make sure we keep supporting our troops in these uncertain times. The United Services Organization is sending “quarantine packages” to military members unable to come home and the VA has administered roughly 850 coronavirus tests nationwide to veterans. Our local veterans service organizations are also working tirelessly to provide support to Texas 12 veterans, including by offering many virtual services.
I’m proud to have two active duty Airmen, one Marine reservist, and three veterans, including a Wounded Warrior Fellow, on my staff. These service members know firsthand how veterans fight a different battle re-adjusting to civilian life, and can provide insight for veterans dealing with federal agencies like the Department of Defense and the VA.
I’m grateful to be part of a community that appreciates our military and veterans as much as I do and I will keep doing my part in Washington to help Texas-12 veterans keep winning at home.
Sincerely,
Kay Granger
Member of Congress