Letter - Westrom supports veterans, families

To the editor:

As a veteran, I have been keenly aware of the hardships some veterans have had to endure when returning home after serving our country. In recent years, more of Minnesota’s veterans are returning home to a tough economy. It’s critical that, once home, they are able to secure the assistance needed for a successful transition back to civilian life.

To help them, Torrey Westrom has supported increasing the higher education assistance program budget by almost $1 million per year, and expanded the Minnesota GI bill by more than half a million to help more veterans obtain apprenticeships and job training.

Westrom voted for a tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans, which would have made a huge difference for veterans seeking employment.

During the past session, Torrey again showed his support for the veteran and helped push through legislation to help the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program, an organization that links volunteers with needs of families of active military members. That program continues to grow and provides much needed relief through volunteers to military families in times of great stress.

Again, as a veteran, I urge all veterans and their families to vote for Torrey Westrom for state senator.

Jim Johnson

Herman, MN

(A paid political letter)

Tags: opinion, letters