Dear Friends,
On November 11th Missourians and citizens of the United States once again pause to express our
gratitude for the heroic men and women who made the life-altering decision to serve our nation.
Veterans Day offers us the opportunity to say thank you to our nation’s heroes. It is a time for us
to renew our commitment to support the brave patriots who have put themselves in harm’s way,
in order to protect our American way of life. It is a time for us to pay tribute to those who protect
the highest ideals of this great nation.
The United States is blessed to have 19 million veterans who have returned home to their
families and friends following their service to our country. Missouri is home to more than
494,000 selfless heroes who put love of country before their own comforts and livelihood. Even
though they returned to life at home, many bear the scars, both physical and emotional, from
their time in their service to our nation. Because they have protected our freedoms and liberties,
it is important that we, the citizens of this great nation, repay our debt of gratitude by supporting
our veterans when and where we can.
In the 2021 legislative session, members of the Missouri House and Senate came together to pass
legislation that supports the many veterans who call Missouri home. By passing HB 476, we
strived to make it clear that Missouri has the welcome mat rolled out for any veteran who wishes
to relocate to the Show-Me State. The bill cuts through bureaucratic red tape and ensures skilled
veterans are able to work and practice their skills in our state. It allows men and women who
have left military service to obtain a license in the occupation they practiced while in the service.
It’s a change that helps make the transition to civilian life easier for veterans, and sends a strong
message that Missouri is welcoming home those who have sacrificed for our country.
Also this year, the state of Missouri launched the Missouri Benefits and Resource Portal to serve
as an informational tool and service guide to help veterans find potential benefits and local
resources. This portal for veteran resources is the result of a study titled “A Comprehensive
Analysis of Missouri’s Efforts to Improve the Quality of Life for Military Service Members and
their Families”. The portal is an important step toward helping veterans and their families learn
about the resources that are available to them here in Missouri. The portal is located at
veteranbenefits.mo.gov.