This month our great country will honor the men and women who fought for our freedom as we commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Monday, November 02, 2009
This month our great country will honor the men and women who fought for our freedom as we commemorate Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
To help show our appreciation, my Senate colleagues and I recently introduced legislation to establish and increase current penalties for those who act dishonorably toward those who bravely serve our country.
As a co-sponsor of this important legislation, I hope it will be a deterrent to anyone who tries to dishonor the service of our nation’s soldiers.
Senate Bill 949 increases the penalties for destroying war monuments. If convicted, a vandal could face a fine and community service in a veterans’ home or service organization.
The legislation came about after Monroe County’s “War on Terror” memorial was recently vandalized. The damage was discovered after a mother whose son fought in that war visited the memorial. After contacting the local police she discovered that the current punishment to vandals is a slap on the wrist.
These monuments and memorials serve as reminders of what veterans have sacrificed for our country and those who dishonor their service in such a manner should be punished.
Senate Bill 950, the “Stolen Valor Law,” will establish penalties for those who falsely claim to be a veteran or member of the military or those who misrepresent their military service for financial or personal gain. The penalties for this crime also include a fine, community service to veterans and/or imprisonment.
The bills are currently before the Senate Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs Committee for consideration.
I look forward to seeing these important pieces of legislation signed into law and I encourage you to do your part in honoring our veterans on Nov. 11.
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