Issue Position: Veterans

Issue Position

Arkansas can honor and serve its veterans.

My husband Cliff is a Marine combat veteran (infantry squad leader), so we have lived the sacrifice Arkansas military families make every day. From family separations for deployments, to dealing with combat injuries and disabilities when they come home, Arkansas veterans and their families have truly given us their very best.

Now it's our turn to give veterans OUR best.

Let's make mental healthcare services more available at a state and local level for veterans and their families to access, even if they don't have a VA or VA clinic nearby. Let's honor veterans' service with the resources they need to succeed in Arkansas's economy. Let's work on a Hiring Veterans Tax Credit, and invest seriously in job skills retraining. Let's work with our VA systems in Arkansas to make sure that our veterans' care is the best in the country, so that they are able to access the tools they need when they come home, no matter where they live in Arkansas.

As a Marine's wife, I understand sacrifice. I also understand that I'm lucky--Cliff and I have crucial support at home and in our community. But so many don't. Our state's elected leaders must do better to close the gaps in care and services for our state's heroes. Our warriors have fought for us; it's time for their representatives to actually fight for them.

Source