This Memorial Day, CWA Local 1103, honors the over 1.1 million American veterans that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day is not a celebratory weekend, rather a time to reflect, grieve and honor for the ones we have lost in the military service of our country.  Yet, when the day is done, the bugle call sounds retreat, there is much we can do to support the fallen and injured.    These are just a few items from Veteran groups like the American Legion that you can contact congress to support in the days that follow:

Wartime veteran. More than 1,600 U.S. military men and women since the end of World War II have been killed or were wounded during times of armed conflict not recognized by the U.S. government. Call on Congress to direct VA to expand the definition of "wartime veteran" to include all military personnel who served honorably under Title 10 orders for at least one day during this continuous period of armed conflict.

Women veterans. Women veterans are the fastest growing demographic to serve in the military and to enroll in the VA health care system. Since 2000, the number of women veterans receiving VA health care has more than doubled and that number is expected to increase as more women veterans become eligible to receive care through VA. Call on Congress to develop a comprehensive health care program in order to address health care needs specific to women who have served in the armed forces.

Suicide prevention. An estimated 20 veterans die by suicide every day and many are not receiving care or support through the VA that may have saved them. Urge Congress to provide VA the necessary funds to hire mental health care professionals and proper staffing for its Integrative Health and Wellness Program.

Veteran homelessness. Support funding of programs and demand Congress continue making investments in affordable housing and programs that help get veterans and their families off the streets and into stable housing with supportive services.

VA benefits. Many military retirees are forced to forfeit a portion of their pension in order to receive VA service-connected disability pay. VA survivor benefits are also offset from military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Supports legislation to repeal both of these unjust offsets.

GI Bill. Expanding GI Bill benefits to include access to capital for entrepreneurial veterans enables them to overcome a major obstacle in building a small business. Call for legislation that would expand GI Bill benefits to assist veterans in obtaining access to small business capital.