http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veteranflag-s443.jpgSaturday Nov. 11, 2023 is “Veterans Day” in Wisconsin and the Governor celebrates the more than 300,000 veterans who call our state home.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today recognized and celebrated Veterans Day with a video message honoring the 300,000 veterans who live across Wisconsin, thanking them for their service to the country, and reaffirming his commitment to supporting veterans and their loved ones. Gov. Evers also proclaimed Nov. 11, 2023, as “Veterans Day” in Wisconsin. A copy of the governor’s Veterans Day proclamation is available here.

Supporting Wisconsin’s veterans has been a top priority for the governor and the Evers Administration. Earlier this year, Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Secretary James Bond announced $424,970 in grants to 13 nonprofit organizations that provided financial assistance, entrepreneurship training, or other services to Wisconsin veterans and their families. Additionally, the governor and DVA Secretary Bond launched the Veteran Mental Health Community-Based Organization Grant program and announced nearly $650,000 in grants to 16 nonprofit organizations to promote positive mental health through activities, programs, and services that enhance the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of Wisconsin veterans. In September, Gov. Evers also announced two additional veteran mental health grants for mental health providers to serve veterans with crisis or emergency mental health needs and for licensed providers to administer mental health services to veterans.

The Evers Administration is committed to ensuring Wisconsin veterans have the tools and resources they need to thrive in their civilian lives. To learn more about resources and services available to veterans and their families in Wisconsin, visit DVA’s website.

Gov. Evers’ 2023 Veterans Day video message is available here, and a transcript of the video message is available below.

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, we’re honoring all the brave individuals who’ve sacrificed and selflessly served our country.

Every day—but especially as we honor Veterans Day—we reflect on how we can give back to our veterans and how we can support them just as they’ve supported us.

There are more than 300,000 veterans who call our state home, and my administration and I have committed to making sure each of them has access to the resources and support they’ve earned through their service.

In support of this effort, I was proud to create our Blue Ribbon Commission on Veteran Opportunity.

This commission was made up of veteran advocates, leaders in the veterans community, and most importantly, veterans and their families.

Members of this commission gathered input from stakeholders, conducted listening sessions, consulted experts, and crafted innovative recommendations to build a better Wisconsin for veterans.

And based on their recommendations, last year, I announced a $10 million investment to bolster veterans services statewide.

This critical investment went towards funding for veteran mental health initiatives, veteran housing and employment assistance, and supporting the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program. Also, additional resources for county and Tribal veterans service offices.

This is already making a difference for veterans and their families, and I’m incredibly grateful to the Commission for their work that guided our efforts.

I was also proud to sign a budget earlier this year that built upon this important work, including increases in funding for county and Tribal veterans services offices by 25 percent.

But our work can’t stop there.

I remain committed to advancing initiatives to invest in rental assistance for veterans, in job training and education, and support for mental and behavioral health services—as well as making Veterans Day a state holiday.

After all our veterans have given in service to our state and our country, we must do more to make sure our veterans and their families have the support and services they need to thrive.

We owe our nation’s heroes and their families a tremendous debt of gratitude, and we offer our sincere appreciation to our veterans for their selfless service and immense sacrifices.

To Wisconsin’s veterans, on behalf of our entire state, thank you, and happy Veterans Day.