The Northeast News

Serving Our Veterans (Page 260)

By Congressman Joe Wilson

This Veterans Day is an opportunity to
recognize the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom. The recent
operation in Syria to capture the murderous leader of ISIS shows the continued
resolve our servicemembers have when protecting this country. We must honor these
sacrifices, although this is a debt that cannot be repaid. While representing
South Carolina’s Second District in Congress, I will continue fighting to promote
efforts that help and protect America’s veterans.

This Congress, I co-sponsored important
legislation to support our veterans and their families. This includes the VA Hiring Enhancement Act, which
enforces federal law that already establishes minimum requirements for VA
physicians and the Homeless Veterans
Families Act, which increases money for services to homeless veterans
including money for minor dependents. American veterans deserve our support and
I am grateful to fight for them. I also co-sponsored the Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act that required the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to provide financial assistance in support of veteran suicide
prevention services. Additionally, I am supportive of efforts to cut red tape
for military spouses when transferring professional licensing between states
due to required moves.

I recently met with representatives from the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of South Carolina during their September visit. We
know we must do better to combat veteran suicide and I am committed to working
with the Veterans Administration to ensure access to care. This is a
frightening trend and I urge my fellow South Carolinians to reach this
Veteran’s Day to any veteran experiencing hardship.

My team was honored to host Veteran’s Hiring
Fairs for four consecutive years. We are seeing the dividends of those efforts
now in a strong economy and a decrease in veterans unemployment rate. The South
Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce cited data showing “the state’s
annual unemployment rate for veterans declined to 3.3 percent in 2018, down
from 3.9 percent in 2017. This is a 15.4 percent drop in the rate
year-over-year, and a considerable decrease from the 5 percent unemployment
rate in 2016.” This is good news for our veterans, our economy, and our state.
Thank you to our small businesses and industry partners who value the work
ethic of our veterans.

I am grateful to be named as a Conferee for
the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) where House and Senate
members will adjudicate their respective National Defense Authorization Acts to
send to the President. I will continue to fight for inclusion of the “Widow’s
Tax” reform in the final bill; I am determined for the surviving spouses to
receive the benefits they deserve – either through the NDAA or with a
stand-alone vote on The Military
Surviving Spouses Equity Act. I first introduced this Act to repeal the
“Widow’s Tax” in 2011. Since then, my team partnered with Veterans Service
Organizations and advocates who dedicate countless hours to fight for repeal of
this unfair offset.

I am grateful that my office is participating in
the Veterans History Project, an ongoing effort by the Library of Congress to
collect and preserve personal accounts of American war veterans. These
narratives keep history alive and allow these important experiences to be accessible
for future generations to know first-hand of wartime realities. If you or
someone you know is interested in participating, please reach out to our
office. I also want to highlight the work of Kassy Alia of Serve & Connect
and our first responders. Many veterans return to service as a first responder
after separating from the military.

As your member of congress, as a veteran, and as
a father of four sons who have served in the South Carolina Army National Guard
and the Navy overseas, I will continue to fight for and support our nation’s veterans
and their families.

Serving Our Veterans

By: John

On: November 11, 2019

In: Community News, Government

By Congressman Joe Wilson This Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom. The recentContinue Reading

Big Bass Tournament November 10

By: John

On: November 6, 2019

In: Events

The South Carolina Troopers Association Big Bass Tournament scheduled for November 10 has been delayed until next spring. It was to be held at DreherContinue Reading

Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises $175,000

By: John

On: November 6, 2019

In: Non Profit

Nearly 2,000 residents from Columbia and surrounding communities joined the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Segra Park October 26. Participants honored those impactedContinue Reading

Dominion offers appliance recycling program

By: John

On: November 6, 2019

In: Business, Events

Dominion Energy South Carolina is offering its residential electric customers an opportunity to turn their old, secondary refrigerators and/or freezers into cash through their ApplianceContinue Reading

Police hold memorial service Friday

By: John

On: November 6, 2019

In: Events, Public Safety

South Carolina’s Fraternal Order of the Police will hold a memorial service November 8 at 6 pm at the Law Enforcement Monument on the StateContinue Reading

State Museum to offer free admission

By: John

On: November 6, 2019

In: Events

The South Carolina State Museum will celebrate fall by offering free general admission to all guests for Fall Festival and History Day, November 9 fromContinue Reading

VA to host diabetes expo

By: John

On: November 1, 2019

In: Events, Health, Military Service

The Columbia VA Health Care System will present four days of events, open to the public, which highlights information on ways to control and lowerContinue Reading

Richland Creek Antique Fall Festival November 1 – 3

By: John

On: October 31, 2019

In: Events

The 24th Annual Fall Festival/Tractor/Engine Show and Pull will be at 542 Richland Creek Road in Ward in Saluda County November 1 – 3. TheContinue Reading

Palmetto Health offers Halloween safety tips

By: John

On: October 31, 2019

In: Community News, Health

The candy aisles are stocked and the jack-o’-lanterns illuminated, reminding that Halloween is just around the corner. While children plan their Halloween costumes, Prisma Health Children’sContinue Reading

Dam Swim for Drew this Saturday

By: John

On: September 12, 2019

In: Events

The annual Dam Swim for Drew will be held this Saturday, September 14 from 8 – 11:30 am, rallying at the Lake Murray SCE&G ParkContinue Reading

Museum celebrates Hispanic heritage Sunday

By: John

On: September 11, 2019

In: Entertainment, Events

The South Carolina State Museum will host Celebración de la Herencia Hispana to celebrate Hispanic heritage this Sunday, September 15 from noon – 5 pm.Continue Reading

Serving Our Veterans (Page 260)

Serving Our Veterans

Big Bass Tournament November 10

Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises $175,000

Dominion offers appliance recycling program

Police hold memorial service Friday

State Museum to offer free admission

VA to host diabetes expo

Richland Creek Antique Fall Festival November 1 – 3

Palmetto Health offers Halloween safety tips

Dam Swim for Drew this Saturday

Museum celebrates Hispanic heritage Sunday

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Drink Pink Rosé Festival May 16

Dido and Aeneas performances start May 14

ColaJazz Festival returns May 15-16 at Finlay Park

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