Ragan Report

Veterans Day on the hill
     Veterans from across Iowa came to the State Capitol to meet with legislators and enjoy a full schedule of activities, including a special ceremony in the rotunda honoring their service.  
     They also had the opportunity to meet Brig. Gen. William DeHaes of the Iowa National Guard; Brig. Gen. Jonathon McColumn, Commanding General of the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Reserve; Commandant Jodi Tymeson of the Iowa Veterans Home; and members of the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs.
     The commitment of Iowans to serve our country has always been strong, which is why veterans make up a higher proportion of our population than they do in many other states.
     In Iowa, we have made it a priority to thank those who’ve served and sacrificed. We want Iowa to be a great place for veterans and their families, to become the home of returning service members, and to offer the education, job opportunities, health care and quality of life they deserve.
     Recent successes include:
     • Protecting the parental rights of military members while they're deployed.
     • Making sure all veterans get a proper funeral with military honors and a final resting place.
     • Investing in improvements at our military and veterans' facilities.
     • Ensuring service-disabled veterans who own their own business are “targeted small businesses” eligible for low-interest loans, grants and consideration when the state seeks bids for goods and services.
     • Establishing a “one-stop shop” to access information on veterans’ preference for public employment.
     • Requiring disclosures by private providers who charge a fee to help veterans access their benefits.
     • Authorizing a veteran designation on Iowa driver’s licenses and identification cards for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans.
     Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at (515) 281-3371 or (641) 424-0874. Email her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.