On Memorial Day, we honor the heroic men and women who gave their lives defending our freedoms. I am writing to you with an update about federal legislative efforts to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as well as our veterans and active duty military.

I am a cosponsor of legislation that will protect the dignity of fallen servicemembers. Our bill, the Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans (SERVE) Act, expands the "buffer zone" distance and time around military funerals to protect these services from disruptive protesters. It also increases criminal penalties for those who violate the law and interfere with respectful burials. Our fallen heroes deserve our utmost respect and honor, and it is outrageous that some would turn their funerals into political spectacles.

I am also pleased to announce that the Veterans Affairs Administration selected a site in Mackinaw City for a new veterans' clinic, which will open later this year. As your Senator, I have made it a top priority to increase access to medical services for all of our veterans. The VA has now opened new clinics in Alpena, Clare and Bad Axe. They will be opening another one in Cadillac next month and have also approved a clinic for Grayling to open in 2012.

We owe it to our veterans to make sure they get the highest quality health care and the benefits they have earned. I will continue working with the VA to increase the number of veterans' clinics in Michigan.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if ever I can be of assistance to you or your family.

Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator