FLAGSTAFF – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema hosted a roundtable discussion with student veterans from Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College to hear their stories, discuss their transitions out of military service, and highlight the importance of ensuring Arizona veterans get the care and benefits they’ve earned.
“Arizona veterans should have the opportunity to succeed as they transition into civilian life. Our discussion will help us ensure veterans have access to the benefits and resources they’ve earned,” said Sinema.
During the informal discussion, Sinema and the student veterans discussed mental health, managing the stress related to academic load, and the challenges of transitioning from military service to the civilian world.
Last year, Sinema championed into law the bipartisan Sgt. Daniel Somers Network of Support Act, which was named after Sgt. Daniel Somers—an Arizona Army veteran who lost his life to suicide. Sinema’s bipartisan law requires the Department of Defense to work with the American Red Cross to collect from new servicemembers the names of loved ones they consider to be their networks of support. The Department of Defense will provide those individuals with information about benefits and services available to military members.
Sinema introduced and advanced out of committee, the bipartisan Veterans Network of Support Act—legislation that ensures the VA has a similar system in place to help veterans thrive in civilian life.
Earlier this year, Sinema partnered with Arizona State University to launch a VA Services Survey to hear directly from Arizona veterans, veteran caregivers, active duty servicemembers, and their families about their health care experiences.
