Congresswoman presents local veteran with long-deserved service medals

Leaders from the Phoenix veterans community joined Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema today to work towards improving care and support for Arizona’s bravest men and women. The veterans, members of Sinema’s Veterans Advisory Council (VAC), regularly provide insights and advice to guide the Congresswoman’s efforts on behalf of veterans in Congress.
 

“Working with Arizona veterans is the best part of my job. It means even more when we can ensure a veteran gets the long-overdue medals he’s earned through service to our country,”said Congresswoman Sinema. “My highest priority is honoring our commitment to American veterans. The Veterans Advisory Council has been essential to our work to help expand health services for ‘Blue Water’ veterans, improve the care veterans receive through the VA, and connect Arizona veterans with education, health care, and workforce resources.”

Sinema discusses veterans issues with her Veterans Advisory Council and awards retired Spc. Eddie Castro a service medal he earned during the Vietnam War.

Sinema also presented Vietnam veteran Spc. Eddie Castro with four service medals he earned but was never awarded. Sinema worked on his behalf to recover Spc. Castro’s records and ensure he received the honors he earned through his service and sacrifice.

“I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Sinema and the other councilmembers to ensure that our country does all it can for veterans. The Veterans Advisory Council gets results, and it shows in the work Congresswoman Sinema does to improve the VA, connect vets with services, and improve education and job opportunities for my fellow Arizona veterans.Congresswoman Sinema’s office works with veterans, their families, and caregivers to help them receive the benefits they deserve.” said Gene Crego, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, and Arizona State Council President of the Vietnam Veterans of America

The Veterans Advisory Council has helped guide Congresswoman Sinema’s work on veterans issues in Congress. On the advice of the council, Sinema cosponsored the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which passed the House in June. The bill that allows ‘Blue Water’ veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam to qualify for expanded, expedited VA care and benefits. They also supported her work to help pass the VA MISSION Act, a new law she cosponsored to help ensure veterans have access to quality care when and where they need it.

Sinema’s Veterans Advisory Council is a group of over 20 veterans from Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District. The group meets to recommend and offer feedback on pending legislation, share ideas for future bills, and keep Congresswoman Sinema aware of the challenges and opportunities facing Arizona veterans.

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