Veterans
MILWAUKEE -- Cemeteries for our veterans could be getting more funding. A new bill introduced by Congressman Bryan Steil on Monday, Feb. 3 could double the amount of grant money dished out by the federal government each year.
Right now, there is a budget of $5 million to assist every veteran cemetery in the country with upkeep projects. It is clearly not enough. But the bill being proposed hopes to address that issue.
You would never know from looking at the snow-covered Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove that it is a busy place.
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A bipartisan bill in Washington could help improve the condition of state-run veteran cemeteries.
Congressman Bryan Steil introduced the Veterans Cemetery Grants Improvement Act in December.
Flanked by veterans, the Janesville republican outlined specifics of the bill at a press conference in Union Grove Monday, Feb. 3.
He says the legislation would double the amount of federal grants available to state-run veteran cemeteries.
More than 16,000 veterans and their family members have been laid to rest at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in the town of Dover since it was established in 1998.
With approximately 1,000 more interments per year, it is considered the fifth busiest state cemetery in the U.S.
With veterans from the Vietnam War and other 20th century conflicts aging, Congress is keeping an eye and working on making sure these state-run veterans cemeteries can continue to be sustainable.
UNION GROVE, WISCONSIN—Today, following a press conference at American Legion Post 171 in Union Grove, Steil rolled out H.R. 5487, the Veterans Cemetery Grants Improvement Act. Steil co-introduced the legislation with Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands and member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
RACINE, WISCONSIN—Following a press conference at the Racine County Sheriff Patrol Station, Bryan Steil announced Retired United States Navy Commander Richard "Dick" Vallin as Wisconsin's First Congressional District's Veteran of the Year.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, with Bryan Steil's support, the House of Representatives passed the Homeless Veteran Families Act. Steil is a cosponsor of the bill and it now awaits passage in the Senate.
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN—Bryan Steil is seeking nominations for Wisconsin's First Congressional District's Veteran of the Year Award. The Veteran of the Year Award is an opportunity for a veteran to be honored for his or her service and contributions in the First District.
RACINE, WISCONSIN—Following two press conferences, Bryan Steil announced the hiring of Ryan Vishaway, Wisconsin's First Congressional District's Wounded Warrior Fellow. Through the House of Representatives' Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, Vishaway serves as the Director of Veterans and Military Affairs in our office. Vishaway is responsible for veteran outreach, veteran and military casework, and service academy nominations. Vishaway is the first Wounded Warrior Fellow to serve the First District.
RACINE, WI—At an event with members from VFW Post 10301 in Racine, Bryan Steil announced that he is seeking a Wounded Warrior fellow to serve in Wisconsin's First Congressional District.
"I'm excited for this opportunity and encourage all to apply. We're home to more than 45,000 veterans in the First District and I'm committed to supporting them. Our fellow will play a critical role and focus on ensuring our service members, veterans, and their families have access to the federal resources and care they have earned," said Steil.