We know it’s been a busy couple of weeks, and we wanted to share with you a few items you may have missed from Senator Johnny Isakson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, in the weeks leading up to Veterans Day.
Senator Isakson delivered a floor speech on Oct. 17 to highlight the Senate’s significant bipartisan victories on behalf of our nation’s veterans, including having passed 22 pieces of veterans’ legislation since January 2017 that have all been signed into law. He also reflected on what Veterans Day means to him as a veteran and as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. You can watch his floor remarks here. To read more about the Senate’s accomplishments, click here.
Earlier this year, Senator Isakson had the opportunity to present the Prisoner of War Medal to 96-year-old U.S. Army veteran Ralph Rumsey from Georgia. Senator Isakson helped secure the medal for Mr. Rumsey nearly 73 years after his release as a prisoner of World War II. This opportunity and Mr. Rumsey’s service inspired Senator Isakson’s op-ed, “World War II POW just one example of why Senate’s work to help veterans is vital,” which was published in the Macon Telegraph on Veterans Day. To read his words reflecting on Veterans Day and thanking our men and women in uniform, click here.
Each year, we honor our veterans on November 11, a day that marks the end of World War I when the armistice went into effect on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day and the end of World War I. Senator Isakson participated in several Veterans Day events to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.
On Oct. 24, Senator Isakson had the privilege of presenting Jennifer Gerding with a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in memory of her father, William Carroll, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War who was awarded two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his service.
Also on Oct. 24, Senator Isakson received the ‘Harry S. Truman Award’ from the National Guard Association of the United States, the association’s highest honor. Isakson was selected to receive this year’s award for his efforts to introduce and shepherd through Congress the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 to improve veterans’ education benefits and enhance the post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Read more about the award and Isakson’s work to improve G.I. Bill benefits here.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Senator Isakson participated in a dedication ceremony in Douglasville, Ga., for a home that was built for U.S. Navy veteran Marilyn Clark and her family by the Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity as part of its Veterans Build program. This is the second house to be dedicated in Veterans Place, the first-ever all veteran Habitat neighborhood in the state of Georgia; and only one of two in the country. Read more about this special occasion here.
Earlier today, Nov. 13, Senator Isakson participated in Johnson Ferry Baptist’s Veterans Appreciation Lunch in Marietta, Ga., where he delivered keynote remarks to more than 150 attendees who included active duty and retired service members, veterans and their families.
And finally, on Wednesday, Nov. 14, Senator Isakson will host his third annual Senate veterans appreciation reception in Washington, D.C., honoring members of Congress and staff who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. armed services.
