Learn about veterans’ benefits and services

Over the past couple of weeks, my family and I have enjoyed participating in and attending many Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day programs and services. I am humbled to attend on behalf of all of the citizens I represent to say “thank you” to our fellow citizens who have served in our nation’s military. It is important that we say thank you because the freedoms and liberties we all enjoy were, in many ways, secured and protected because of the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women and their families.

As a state, we say thank you to our military personnel and our veterans in numerous ways. The benefits and services offered are many and sometimes can be confusing.

In an effort to help veterans and their families understand the programs available, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) will conduct a Supermarket of Veterans Benefits at Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland on June 4 and 5. The WDVA has been conducting these events since 2001 in partnership with a number of area groups, assisting thousands of veterans.

The Supermarket is a one-stop-shop where veterans and their family members can learn about and apply for benefits and services they may have not known about in the past. The Supermarket consists of dozens of information “booths’’ at which veterans may obtain information on a gamut of available benefits, ranging from veterans home loan information and education opportunities to flu shots and much, much more.

Since the WDVA started conducting these Supermarket events in 2001, they have proven to be very successful in helping veterans, their communities and the State of Wisconsin as a whole. Following is the specific information for the 2010 Supermarket event:
Supermarket of Veterans Benefits
Friday and Saturday, June 4-5, 2010
Friday, June 4, noon-7 p.m.
Saturday, June 5, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Lakeshore Technical College
1290 North Ave, Cleveland

I encourage all area veterans and their families to attend. The legislature has approved numerous new veterans programs over the past couple of years and it is important that you learn about them and determine if you are eligible. If you are unable to attend, please do not hesitate to contact my office so we can provide you with the information.

Thank you again to our military servicemen and women, our veterans and their families for your service to our nation and to the great cause of spreading liberty around the world!

As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling (888) 295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis. wi.gov. You can also logon to the 9th Senate District online office at www.leibhamsenate.com.

It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the state Senate.