Spotlight on Veterans In June 2009, U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth joined Rep. Welch in Rutland to announce the start of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Passed in June 2008, the new GI Bill allows eligible veterans who served at least 90 days active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost.

"Vermonters have a long and proud tradition of military service, and our state has a history of contributing far in excess of its size to the defense of our nation. When a war is over and our brave veterans return home, it is our most solemn obligation to keep our promise and ensure they have the services and resources they require to succeed. I have long believed that the cost of the war must include the cost of caring for the warrior. That is why I have promoted policies that support veterans by modernizing and streamlining health care systems within the Veterans Administration, improving and expanding educational and workforce training programs for veterans, and supporting veteran-owned businesses."

P.S. Click here for my veterans’ resource page.

Rep. Welch's Recent Work for Veterans

Vermont Veterans Outreach Program Wins Funding

May 13, 2013

A Vermont National Guard outreach effort will receive $1.8 million this year for the pioneering program that informs veterans and their families about benefits they have earned, Vermont’s congressional delegation announced today.

The award is Vermont’s share of $20 million for eight states that have adopted the Vermont outreach program model and a new effort to expand the program to National Guard and Reserve units nation... Read More

Associated Press: 'Center in Randolph to help veterans create jobs'

February 5, 2013

Vermont veterans seeking to create or expand small businesses now have access to office support services thanks to a business incubator set aside just for them in Randolph, officials said Monday.

The Vermont Tech Enterprise Center Business Incubator just off Interstate 89 provides the office space and equipment veterans need to do office work or have business meetings.

The space is free to... Read More

Welch Grant Supports New Veterans' Business Development Center

February 4, 2013

A federal grant secured by Rep. Peter Welch is providing equipment for a new center at Vermont Technical College (VTC) that will provide office space and support for Vermont veterans hoping to develop or expand their own businesses.

Welch was on hand Monday in Randolph to launch the Office of Veterans’ Entrepreneurship, a partnership between the Vermont Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and VTC that will provide... Read More

Rutland Herald: 'Vietnam veteran awarded new medals'

January 8, 2013

Charles Bailey is a man of few words. When Rep. Peter Welch placed in Bailey's hands the medals the Fair Haven veteran earned during the Vietnam War, Bailey said little — not because there was nothing to say. He was speechless.

"All I want to say is that I'm proud to be an American," the 70-year-old Bailey said, then thanking his family who was in attendance at a ceremony at South Station in Rutland on Monday.

Read More

Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch attends Vietnam Veterans Memorial 30th Anniversary'

August 4, 2012

 

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• July 17, 2012 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch: $1 M. Veterans Administration Grant To Veterans Inc.

• June 9, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch speaks at the Vermont Veterans of Foreign Wars 81st Convention'

• May 30, 2012 — Rutland Herald: 'Welch touts vets business program'

• May 30, 2012 — New England Cable News: 'Business program for Vt. vets inspires federal legislation'

• May 29, 2012 — Welch expands successful Vermont partnership helping veterans start small businesses

• May 29, 2012 — WCAX: 'Welch pushes business program for vets and soldiers'

• May 29, 2012 — VPR: 'Welch Promotes Program To Help Veterans Run Small Businesses'

• March 27, 2012 — Delegation announces funding to provide permanent housing to 25 homeless Vermont veterans

• March 14, 2012 — Rutland Herald: 'Welch looks to take Vermont vets program national'

• March 13, 2012 — Welch and Gibson hear from veterans in Rutland about successful outreach program

• March 13, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch holds Rutland and Saratoga Springs roundtables on support services for veterans'

• March 13, 2012 — WCAX: 'Welch looks to expand Vt veterans outreach program'

• February 11, 2012 — Rutland Herald: 'Vets home in line for grant to add e-records'

• February 10, 2012 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Vermont Veterans Home Makes Short List For Likely VA Funding For E-Medical Records

• February 10, 2012 — Bennington Banner: 'Welch: Medical records upgrade a priority'

• January 24, 2012 — Department of Veterans Affairs; 'Veterans and Beneficiaries Receive 2012 Cost of Living Adjustment'

• November 18, 2011 — Department of Veterans Affairs: 'VA Support Program Expanding to More Veterans, Spouses'

• October 28, 2011 — Welch and King find bipartisan support for part of Obama’s jobs bill

• October 21, 2011 — Welch reacts to Obama announcement of imminent end to Iraq war

• September 16, 2011 — Department of Veterans Affairs: 'Retroactive Traumatic Injury Benefits No Longer Just for OEF/OIF Injuries'

• June 29, 2011 — 2011 Edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors available online

• June 28, 2011 — Bennington Banner: 'Bill would extend Guard Outreach Act'

• June 28, 2011 — Rutland Herald: 'Welch wants to expand veterans’ outreach nationally'

• June 27, 2011 — Welch announces bipartisan legislation to expand successful Vermont veterans outreach program

• June 27, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch attends Patriot Flag Celebration in Bennington'

• June 27, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch announces bipartisan legislation to expand successful Vermont veterans outreach program'

• June 4, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch speaks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Vermont State Convention'

• May 28, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Essex Memorial Day Parade'

• May 28, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Winooski Memorial Day Parade'

• May 13, 2011 — The Rutland Herald: 'Vermont gets $2.1 million for veteran aid'

• May 12, 2011 — Vermont Guard Wins $2 Million More for Model Veterans Outreach Program

• May 4, 2011 — VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Program

• May 2, 2011 — VA ANNOUNCEMENT: Vet Center Combat Call Center 877-WAR-VETS

• March 23, 2011 — Burlington Free Press: 'Vermont delegation wants money for vets'

• February 23, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Welch visits vererans job fair at Castleton State College'

• February 8, 2011 — Video: 'Welch announces new legislation to create jobs for veterans '

• February 8, 2011 — Rutland Herald: 'Welch has jobs plan for vets'

• February 7, 2011 — At Barre business, Welch announces new legislation to create jobs for veterans

• February 7, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch announces new legislation to create jobs for veterans'

• January 29, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch attends VAST Military Families Appreciation Day'

• December 21, 2010 — VA Urges Veterans to Sign Up for Direct Deposits

• December 19, 2010 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch holds veterans employment meeting"

• October 18, 2010 — Welch to host roundtable tomorrow focused on jobs for returning Guard members

• October 18, 2010 — VA Video Outreach Message Aimed at New Veterans

• September 29, 2010 — Video: "Welch talks about legislation to help unemployed veterans "

• September 28, 2010 — House passes Welch veterans employment bill

• September 28, 2010 — U.S. House to vote on Welch veteran employment bill this week

• September 28, 2010 — WCAX: "Welch bill helps veterans train for jobs"

• September 15, 2010 — Welch veteran employment bill passes committee

• September 1, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont Rep. Welch heading back to Afghanistan"

• July 15, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "Welch: Rutland vets spark for bill"

• July 15, 2010 — Welch veteran employment bill advances

• July 14, 2010 — Welch introduces veterans bill based on Rutland roundtable feedback

• July 8, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "Welch roundtable focuses on mental health services for veterans"

• May 15, 2010 — Photo Album: Rep. Welch honors veteran Keith Williams with Purple Heart

• May 13, 2010 — Welch introduces bill to help veterans and military personnel transfer education benefits

• April 23, 2010 — Delegation Asks VA Secretary to Help Disabled Veterans

• April 21, 2010 — Welch supports, House passes legislation to expand care for wounded, women veterans

• March 25, 2010 — Welch supports, House passes measures to help National Guard, veterans

• January 26, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont Guard soldiers in training, good spirits"

• December 20, 2009 — Times Argus: "Veterans praise Northfield housing facility"

• December 19, 2009 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch hosts Veterans' Roundtable"

• December 6, 2009 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch delivers remarks at Vermont Guard Deployment Ceremony"

• December 6, 2009 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch delivers remarks at Vermont Guard Deployment Ceremony"

• November 23, 2009 — Photo Album: Welch addresses members of the Vermont National Guard at a pre-deployment ceremony in Barre

• November 3, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes measures to assist veterans, military families

• October 30, 2009 — Photo Album: Welch delivers departing remarks to Vermont Guard at Camp Johnson

• October 29, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch salutes Vermont National Guard

• October 29, 2009 — WCAX: "Welch Wishes Soldiers Good Bye on House Floor"

• July 28, 2009 — House passes, Welch supports legislation to help disabled veterans

• June 30, 2009 — Welch and Duckworth kick off Post-9/11 GI Bill at Champlain College event

• June 25, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch welcomes home Andrew Parker

• June 24, 2009 — Welch supports legislation to improve services and benefits for veterans

• June 4, 2009 — Welch calls on Sec. Shinseki to reconsider outsourcing of VA services from Vermont

• May 4, 2009 — Reps. Welch, Poe and Robert Duvall call on Wal-Mart to preserve Civil War site

• April 15, 2009 — Welch announces $792,000 grant for Vermont National Guard

• April 6, 2009 — Welch seeks funding for 29 Vermont projects

• April 1, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes legislation to help veterans

• March 18, 2009 — Welch brings Vermont voices to budget hearing

• March 5, 2009 — Welch presents his veterans’ job training bill to committee

• February 25, 2009 — Welch calls on Wal-Mart to relocate store proposed for Civil War battlefield

• August 18, 2008 — Vermont Delegation Hails Plan To Open New Rural Health Resource Center At The White River Junction VA Hospital

• August 1, 2008 — Welch’s veterans employment bill passes House

• June 19, 2008 — House committee hears testimony on Welch bill to assist veterans with employment after military service

• February 12, 2008 — In the aftermath of Walter Reed, Welch-requested GAO reports assess care for veterans and National Guard

• January 16, 2008 — Welch supports opportunities for veteran-owned businesses

• September 21, 2007 — Welch takes on veteran homelessness

• September 4, 2007 — Welch says Bush veto threats over veterans funding is shameless

• July 30, 2007 — Welch supports House Veterans Health Care Improvement Act

• July 17, 2007 — Welch says VA Secretary’s resignation an opportunity to recommit to nation’s veterans

• June 29, 2007 — House passes funding to support active duty and veteran Vt. business owners

• June 21, 2007 — Welch testifies on Guard benefits bill he authored; Adj. Gen. Dubie says, “it is only fair”

• May 24, 2007 — Welch legislation to improve rural veteran care passes House

• April 30, 2007 — Welch announces new veterans legislation at roundtable with vets, Adj. Gen. Dubie

• March 28, 2007 — GAO accepts Welch-led effort to investigate preparations for returning veteran care

• March 28, 2007 — Welch veterans amendment passes House

• March 23, 2007 — House votes to impose date certain to end Iraq war

• March 1, 2007 — Welch continues effort to assure veteran care, 43 freshman join call for GAO assessment, co-sponsors Wounded Warriors Act

• February 26, 2007 — Welch visits Colchester veterans' clinic, announces Oversight hearing of Walter Reed

• February 21, 2007 — Welch calls for investigation of Walter Reed outpatient care

• May 10, 2001 — Caring for Our Veterans