| Start Date: | 7/2/2012 | Start Time: | 8:00 AM | | End Date: | 7/2/2012 | End Time: | 8:00 AM |
This week our nation celebrates its independence. We celebrate and remember the brave men and women who fought courageously, so that we have a country that was founded on our ability to exercise our freedoms we do today. My hope is that this week will not just be about cookouts, fireworks and days off work, but that we will truly honor those soldiers who have fought hard for this country since its founding.
This past legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly worked hard to pass legislation that would benefit those Hoosier veterans and active military personnel. We stood by our veterans and active military, passing laws to support Hoosier soldiers and their families. On July 1, a new law took effect that extends the deadline for grants from the Military Family Relief Fund from one year to three years.
The Military Family Relief Fund is a resource for military personnel and their families, and extending that deadline by two full years ensures that more families can benefit from it for a longer period of time. When active military personnel return home from duty, it takes time readjust to life with their families, and it often takes longer than just a year.
Money from the fund can be used to help pay for food, housing, utilities, medical services, basic transportation, child care, education, employment or workforce and other essential family support expenses. The Military Family Relief Fund grant is available for a service member or a service member’s family and is funded by the sales of “Hoosier Veteran”, “POW-MIA” and “Support Our Troops” license plates.
My colleagues and I were honored to support this legislation because it is an opportunity to support our Hoosier veterans and their families. At a time when the economy is tough, this will greatly benefit those men and women, who served our country to keep us safe, get back on their feet.
For a complete list of new Indiana laws, including others relating to our Hoosier veterans, please visit http://www.in.gov/legislative/reports/2012/2012GOV.PDF. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or input by calling 317-232-9647 or emailing H38@in.gov.
-30-
Rep. VanNatter represents parts of Boone, Clinton, Hamilton and Howard Counties. |
