Barrett Brings Local Leaders Together to Support Mid-Michigan Veterans
Eaton Rapids, Mich. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) on Thursday hosted a roundtable meeting with mid-Michigan veteran leaders to discuss the ongoing mission to support men and women who have served in the U.S. military.
Barrett, a 22-year U.S. Army veteran who now serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held the discussion in Eaton Rapids at the VFW National Home. The roundtable participants shared about the work of local veteran organizations and discussed needed federal policy reforms to deliver veterans their benefits and services efficiently. The discussion especially highlighted the need for improving federal programs to help departing veterans transition into the community, as well as the need to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to reservists and National Guard members based on all their legally qualifying service time.
“In the military, service members work cohesively and lean on each other to complete each mission. Supporting our veterans after they come home has to be a team effort, too,” said Barrett. “I’m grateful to everyone who joined me to discuss how we can continue working together to help our brave men and women when they come home. It’s clear the federal government has to do better to help veterans transition back into their communities after service, find good jobs and housing, and access the benefits they earned. And the VA needs to follow the law and fully account for the service of veterans who served in the reserve or National Guard. I’ll continue working with mid-Michigan veteran leaders to address these issues and deliver for those who have served.”
With the support of Veterans of Foreign Wars departments throughout the United States, the VFW National Home provides single-family houses and support services for military and veteran families. Staff work with the families to set and achieve goals during their time at the VFW National Home, with the ultimate goal of helping veterans transition and helping them and their families gain independence. With a focus on families with children, the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids is the only home of its kind in the country, and the organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Barrett toured the campus after the roundtable event.
“For a century, the VFW National Home has sheltered and supported military families,” said Dr. Jerred Johnson, director of veteran services at the VFW National Home. “Today, our mission to help veterans and their loved ones is going strong. Our one-of-a-kind program takes in veteran families from across the country — providing housing, child care, education, and more to help them transition to independence. Our entire team is grateful for Congressman Barrett taking the time to see the home and hear concerns from so many veteran support organizations today. We look forward to continuing to work with him to support our fellow veterans.”
Participants in the roundtable discussion included:
- Mike Wilson, VFW National Home executive director
- Jerred Johnson, VFW National Home director of veteran services
- TJ Pierce, National Guard Association of Michigan executive director
- Josh Parish, VETLIFE founder
- Matt Leach, VETLIFE partnership coordinator
- Reinold Yahnka, Veterans of Foreign Wars state commander
- Barry Walter, VFW state adjutant / quartermaster
- Rex Murdock, Veterans of Foreign Wars District 6 commander
- Sidney Love, Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Office state director
- John Brauer, American Legion District 6 commander
- Thomas Kaiser, American Legion veterans service officer
- Juan Angarita, a resident of the VFW National Home
- Todd Butler, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency deputy director
- Lexi Jones, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency strategic outreach manager
- Brian Pegouske, Veterans Affairs Battle Creek chief of communication and community engagement
- Chris Arbino, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor public affairs specialist
- And others
On the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Barrett is leading efforts to modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs, streamline communication and services for veterans, and ensure veterans and their families get their health care and benefits efficiently.
Two of Barrett’s many veteran bills passed the House of Representatives unanimously earlier this year. The Clear Communication for Veteran Claims Act would provide for clearer, simpler VA notice letters, and the Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act would reimburse disabled veterans for more types of vehicle accessibility modifications.
Barrett also chairs the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, where he is focused on ensuring the VA is meeting the 21st-century needs of veterans — including by providing much-needed oversight of the Electronic Health Record system.