On Veterans Day, remember the sacrifices of those who serve

During the 2008 session, Senator Wilhelm met with veterans from her district at the Statehouse. The Iowa Veterans Council reported that the 2008 Legislative session was the most successful year for veterans in the Legislature since the 1950s.

In October, it was announced that 3,500 members of the Iowa National Guard are expected to be deployed to Afghanistan next year. This would be the largest call-up of an Iowa unit since World War II, affecting employers, families and communities throughout the state.

A mobilization of this size is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices so many Iowans make for our freedom. Let’s remember to honor and thank them for their service this Veterans Day.

In the Legislature, we’ve kept the needs of our veterans and servicemembers at the forefront, even in tough economic times. During the 2009 session, we approved measures to:

** Expand eligibility for benefits: Iowa’s definition of “veteran” was broadened to include all Iowans who’ve served on active federal service. Previously, only those serving in certain wars or times of conflicts were considered veterans in Iowa (HF 503).

** Protect soldiers’ jobs while they are serving overseas: Employers who hold open a job for an active-duty servicemember won’t be billed for the unemployment claims of a temporary replacement worker (SF 197).

** Honor fallen soldiers: The Governor will present the family of a fallen soldier with the flag flown at half-staff over the Statehouse in honor of their loved one (SF 112).

** Improve the Iowa Veterans Home: The Iowa Veterans Home will receive $29 million in federal funds for the first phase of a comprehensive renovation as the result of a $16 million state investment.

** Help more veterans afford college: Active-duty soldiers, veterans and their families are now eligible for in-state tuition at Regents universities and community colleges if they served after 9/11 and live in Iowa (SF 451). In addition, funding for the National Guard Tuition Aid Program was increased to help more servicemembers get a college education (SF 470).

** Maximize veterans’ benefits: Assisted living programs that receive Medicaid reimbursements are required to help veterans determine all the benefits for which they are eligible (SF 203).

** Improve access to county Veterans Affairs services: County Veterans Affairs offices are required to be open at least four hours a day in every county. The money previously allocated for administrators can now be spent on services instead (HF 283).

** Increase accountability in Veterans Affairs: Each year, Veterans Affairs will report to the Governor and the Legislature on the number of hours that services are offered and the amount of benefits paid out (SF 254).

** Protect against mortgage foreclosure: It is now a serious misdemeanor to knowingly repossess or foreclose on property of active-duty members of the Iowa National Guard or their families, similar to the existing penalties for foreclosing on US Armed Forces (HF 706).

** Provide tax extensions: All active-duty soldiers on federal military service will receive a 90-day extension on their state taxes (SF 253).

** Help military families adjust after a move: Iowa will coordinate with other states to ensure timely enrollment in school and on-time graduation for children of military families (HF 214).

** Improve quality of life at the Veterans Home: It will be easier for those living at the Iowa Veterans Home to get off-campus because volunteer van drivers are now exempt from having a chauffeur’s driver license (HF 321).

** Protect Veterans Home residents from abuse: All volunteers at the Iowa Veterans Home are now required to have background checks (HF 505).

To learn more about state and federal benefits and services for veterans, military members and their families, go to www.iowava.org.