“A long time coming” is how Missouri Veterans Commission Executive Director Paul Kirchoff describes a new state law to help strengthen the state’s military community. The plan, which became law this week, is designed to combat veteran suicides.
It requires the Missouri Veterans Commission to work with the Department of Mental Health to find additional ways to fight veteran suicide.
“We see this as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Missouri’s veterans who are struggling. There’s not a military member out there, there’s not a veteran out there, who hasn’t had a friend or a family member who has committed suicide,” he told Missourinet. “I think it’s long time in coming. Veteran suicide has been a plague on veterans for a long time. And it shows dedication and devotion to Missouri’s veterans. And quite frankly, we owe it to those veterans.”
Kirchoff said one suicide is too many.
“Suicide is something that’s prevalent in all of society, but it’s even more prevalent among veterans,” said Kirchoff. “The pressures, the buildup of things that go on and for veterans can become overwhelming, and we as a society owe it to those veterans to do everything we can to combat this terrible plague that’s besieging our veterans in particular.”
U.S. military members are given a variety of service awards and medals that they may hold near and dear to their heart. The new law will offer a medal to National Guard members and Afghanistan War veterans who served on active duty from 2001 to 2021.
“We can’t forget those Afghanistan veterans,” said Kirchoff. “This is a strong step forward to make sure that we honor those veterans and recognize their sacrifices. When you’re younger, ‘Well, okay. It’s not that big of deal.’ But, as you get older, it becomes more and more valuable to you. It’s a symbol of that comradery. When I have that in my hand, I think of the good times that I had with my fellow veterans, the people that I served with. I also think about the bad times. I also think about the sacrifices.”
The medal design is in the works. Once the medals are available, an application will be on the National Guard’s website.
If you have family members who served in war, and they have not received their medal for serving in the conflict, relatives can request one on behalf of the veteran.
“As the Iraq medallion as an example, there are very few that have actually applied for that. I think part of that is because they don’t know that it’s available. And so, this is an opportunity to bring forth knowledge, not just about the Afghan medal, but the Iraq medal as well,” said Kirchoff.
Another key provision in the law will allow a full state tax deduction for military and National Guard enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses.
It will relax custody and visitation agreements for parents who are preparing for a deployment.
In addition, the law will make it easier for veterans to get a handicap placard for their vehicle. It also covers the cost of military specialty license plates for veterans.
Sen. Ben Brown, R-Washington, sponsored the bill. Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, had several provisions in the legislation.
For more information about Senate Bill 912, click here.
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