November 9, 2006

LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today encouraged residents across the state to observe Veterans Day by recognizing the sacrifices Michigan veterans have made throughout the years to protect our freedom.
 
"On Veterans Day we recall the sacrifices made by our veterans of wars past, but also of the war we are fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan," Granholm said.
 
It is estimated that more than 788,000 veterans are living in Michigan; from men who are in their late 70s and 80s who saw their world completely change on December 7, 1941, to the men and women who currently serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
"These are the men and woman we honor today, and we should remember their sacrifices every day because we are free and live in a democratic society thanks to them," Granholm said.  "On Veterans Day, please honor the sacrifice of our veterans.  Please fly your flag proudly and remember the men and women who have bravely defended your right to do so."

The Granholm Administration has undertaken numerous activities on behalf of the veterans who have given so much of themselves to protect our freedom, including:

- signing legislation establishing a goal for the State of Michigan to purchase goods and services from businesses owned by disabled veterans;

- signing legislation establishing a military relief fund in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, prohibiting the disconnection of telephone and utility service for reserve personnel called to active duty, and extending the April 15 state income tax filing deadline for military personnel in a combat zone;

- establishing a Seamless Transition Team to ensure veterans returning from combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan can find assistance with everything from employment to health care counseling;

- signing legislation that permits local governmental units to provide differential pay for their employees who enter into active military service to help defray lost civilian pay.

- signing legislation known as the Children of Veterans Tuition Act which will provide the children of certain Michigan veterans with grants for college tuition.

- issuing an executive order to lower flags on buildings across the state each time a Michigan member of our armed forces is lost in combat

The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  This week, the address is being made available a day early as state offices will be closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day.  The address will also be available on the Governor's website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.

Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm's radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. 

Publishers Note: The text of today's address is attached.