• This photo was taken at the Meridian Senior Center for their Veteran's appreciation breakfast in 2019.

MICHIGAN - Veterans Day is being honored throughout the Greater Lansing Area this year through many different tributes and initiatives.

Some of the initiatives being introduced include new benefits and opportunities for veterans and their families.

The Michigan Department of Treasury introduced a list of opportunities veterans may be eligible to receive. Some of those listed included the Military Pay Tax Exemption, the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption and the Summer Property Tax Deferment. Opportunities on the list for families of veterans include the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant and the Federal Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.

“Our service men and women make many sacrifices to protect us,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks. “The Michigan Department of Treasury will work closely with our military members to ensure they get the tax benefits and other resources they deserve.”

Additionally, 10 Michigan state departments, out of the 18 departments, are now certified as veteran-friendly employers through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

“Veterans bring special skillsets, a strong work ethic and values to the workplace that employers need to help make their operations successful,” said MVAA Director Zaneta Adams. “The MVAA applauds the growing list of state departments for recognizing the value of hiring veterans and is committed to working with even more Michigan employers – public and private alike – to help them grow their veteran workforces.”

Two of those departments, Transportation and Michigan State Police, achieved the gold-level for veteran-friendly employers. Michigan State Police itself employs almost 500 veterans.

“The Michigan State Police has a long history of supporting our veteran, reserve and Guard employees,” said Director of the Michigan State Police, Joe Gasper. “They are valuable members of the MSP team and we support them through our participation in the VA On the job/Apprentice training program, Employee Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and our Pre- and Post-deployment Reintegration Program.”

The state of Michigan employs nearly 4,000 veterans which makes up 7.3% of the total work force in the state.

Consumer’s Energy is also recruiting military veterans for electric line work apprenticeships. Accepted participants will receive 10 days of pre-apprenticeship training by Power for America at no cost. After the 10 days they will take a four-day pass/fail assessment with those who pass beginning work as a basic line apprentice earning a starting wage of $35 an hour.

“We look forward to welcoming military veterans who take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to join our union’s ranks and provide for their families with well-paying careers,” said the President of the Michigan State Utility Workers Council, Craig Wright. “Veterans often find that the skills they gained in the military are valued at Consumers Energy and embodied in their coworkers.”

Yesterday in East Lansing, the Lansing-based 1st Battalion, 24th Marines will be having a wreath-laying ceremony at East Lansing’s Medal of Honor Memorial and Veteran’s Monument.

The city of Lansing will also be hosting a virtual Veterans Day tribute on Wednesday, November 11 starting at 6 pm. The event can be viewed on Comcast channel 12 or on the city’s YouTube and Facebook page.

Update:

On Tuesday, Whitmer announced an introduction of bipartisan legislation that supports veterans, military personnel and their families. The legislation will reduce barriers to professional licensure.

“This Veterans Day, I’d like to offer my sincere gratitude to the Michiganders who have sacrificed and served on behalf of this nation,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said. “Service members have been on the front lines fighting COVID-19, continuing a legacy of military service in Michigan that spans 180 years. These brave men and women are the pride of this great state.”

There are 600,000 veterans living in the state of Michigan.