Secretary Shinseki Thanks Veterans for Their Service

Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki thanked veterans for their service in honor of Veterans Day.

Says Shinseki, "As we observe Veterans Day, I look to everyone--families, friends and acquaintances in communities, large and small--to turn out and thank all our Veterans, from earlier eras and to those who are just returning home.

The VA continues to improve its services for the country's 23 million Veterans. During the past 19 months, the VA has seen a 16 percent budget increase and an upcoming 10 percent budget increase for the FY2011 budget. This increase in spending has spurred the VA's ability to improve veterans' access to health care services and benefits, reduce the backlog of disability claims, and most significantly, end veterans' homelessness by 2015. Finally, the Post-9/11 Bill has been a major success, helping more than 400,000 veterans attend college.

Under Secretary Shinseki's watch, the VA has started major outreach efforts to veterans and their families. Some of these outreach activities include:

• A television advertisement campaign
• A new VA blog (VAntage Point)
• Twitter feeds and a Facebook presence
• Rural outreach teams

Secretary Shinseki will join military and White House officials as well as leaders of other major Veterans organizations at the Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery.

Other Veterans Day Activities

Across the country, the VA will sponsor over 100 Veterans Day events and activities, including:

• Parades in Denver and Lexington
• Hosting the 63rd annual Veterans Day parade in Birmingham
• Recognition ceremonies in Bath, NY, Durham, NY, and Tucson, AZ

For more information about Veterans Day and VA activities, refer to the Department of Veterans Affairs Press Release: On Veterans Day, VA Secretary Shinseki Recognizes, Thanks Veterans.

Share This

Email