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NJ Sen. Vin Gopal: Veterans, thank you for your service

Asbury Park Press - 11/11/2020

Veterans Day is a time to thank those who have served our nation. It is a time for Americans to feel pride for our heroes who have sacrificed themselves for the freedoms we revel in every day. As chairman of the New Jersey Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, I want to acknowledge this day to emphasize my appreciation for our veterans’ sacrifice and service. On behalf of all of my Senate colleagues, we pay tribute and respect to every person who has put on the United States uniform, as well as to their families, for the extraordinary service they have offered in protecting us all.

As these veterans have served honorably in our Armed Services, I will continue working to push legislation that will protect and honor our veterans when they come home. We are living in unprecedented times, and that means we must work harder to ensure every life is safe in the state of New Jersey.

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In response to the deadly impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s veteran memorial homes, the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee approved a bi-partisan resolution I sponsored that would call upon Congress to release funds to offset COVID-19 related losses at veterans homes, and to fully fund rebuilding two of New Jersey’s facilities. It is imperative that Congress provides COVID-19 related funding to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for its memorial homes so that residents have a safe environment, and one that is fully and properly operated. We will continue to keep the pressure on our state and federal leaders to make sure what happened at these veteran homes never happens again.

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In order to keep our heroes safe, we were able to accomplish a great deal for our veterans this legislative session. A few weeks ago, S-2227 passed the Senate and is on Governor Murphy’s desk to be signed into law. This bill creates a Global War on Terrorism Medal to be presented to a veteran who was honorably discharged and is a resident of the State, was a resident upon entry into service, or has been a resident of this State for at least 20 years in the aggregate. The medal will also be available for a person killed in action or missing in action.

In addition, the State Senate is working to expand the very definition of the term “veteran.” Under current law, a veteran is eligible for a civil service hiring preference, if the person served during specified dates or in specified locations, and in some instances, for a specific length of time. A Senate bill, S-2968, changes the definition of “veteran” for the civil service hiring preference by removing the requirement of service for specific lengths of time and broadens the specified locations for eligibility. Removing the requirement of service for a specific length in time sends the message that we are grateful to all who have served in the Armed Forces.

I have also introduced legislation that would require the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to provide certain assistance to qualified veterans’ organizations. Because of this legislation, the NJEDA was inspired to expand its grant eligibility to veterans’ organizations in the second round of their funding.

My bill, S-2817, allows active-duty service members to provide documentation other than DD-214 when claiming veterans’ preference for civil service. This bill would allow a person who is still on active military duty, but who expects to be discharged, or released soon to begin the process of securing veterans’ preference before discharge occurs.

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The State Senate has also worked to ensure the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community who serve in the military. S-2815 requires DMVA to assist service to members discharged solely due to LGBTQ+ status with petitions to change discharge designation. An estimated 100,000 LGBTQ+ service members were discharged from the military under less than honorable conditions. Too many service members have been shamed and left without the benefits they earned. This bill will help ensure that they get the benefits and respect they deserve.

I also would like to highlight the efforts towards helping Purple Heart recipients. The bill, S-2903, exempts Purple Heart recipients from payment of motor vehicle registration, driver’s license, and identification card fees. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy, and posthumously, to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration. This exemption of fees is another meaningful sign of gratitude toward those who served our country.

Once again, I would like to thank our veterans for their service to this great nation. I hope you have a very safe, prosperous, and peaceful Veterans Day. God bless you.

NJ Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, represents New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District in the state Senate, where he serves as chair of the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Sen. Vin Gopal: Veterans, thank you for your service

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