JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, today expressed his heartfelt appreciation to members of the Armed Forces in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday on Monday, Nov. 11. 

Senator Wasson recently attended the service commemorating the 65th anniversary of American Legion Memorial Post 434 in Nixa. The senator spoke at the event, personally thanking the veterans in attendance and highlighting his personal connection to the post, of which his father, a World War I veteran, was a member.

He also noted at the event that 2013 is the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. He made a point of thanking veterans from those conflicts in particular.

“A lot of the soldiers who came home from those wars were not treated with the respect they deserved,” said Sen. Wasson. “Many returning troops were unfairly saddled with the blame for those publically unpopular conflicts, especially the Vietnam war. This wasn’t right, and we know that now. I want to make sure those veterans know we appreciate the great costs they paid and are humbled by their brave service to this country.”

The senator has long been an advocate for Missouri’s veterans, including supporting legislation during 2013 for the creation of veteran treatment courts and a bill to streamline absentee ballot procedures for military voters overseas. Both measures were ultimately signed into law this year by the governor.

“The men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces deserve our utmost respect and appreciation,” said Sen. Wasson. “Every day, around the globe, our military protects us from those who would do us and our nation harm. They stand in the way of danger so we can enjoy the freedoms and privileges that come with living in the greatest country on Earth.”

During the 2013 session, Sen. Wasson filed legislation designating a bridge on US Highway 65 in Greene County as the “Missouri Fallen Soldiers Memorial Bridge” in recognition of the great sacrifices military members make in defense of home and country. The bill was eventually included in House Bill 303, an omnibus transportation bill signed into law.

“I was happy to see the governor sign this legislation into law,” said Sen. Wasson. “It is vital our veterans, especially those we lost, know that citizens in Missouri will always remember the sacrifices made in our name. This designation is but a small sign of Missourians’ appreciation for our fallen warriors.”

For more information on Sen. Wasson’s legislation honoring veterans, visit his Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/wasson.