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Date: 10/2/2015
WESTFIELD – State Rep. John Velis has said he wants to be a voice and a resource for veterans throughout the Commonwealth.
American Veterans (AMVETS), a national veterans service organization, has honored his effort, announcing Velis had received that Legislative Award. The award honors someone who has contributed to legislation on behalf of veterans.
Velis is a veteran himself, having served in Afghanistan, and as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Since being elected to the Legislature, Velis has worked to represent veterans, particularly with his work on proposing the Stolen Valor legislation.
The award, he said, is an honor.
“I’m humbled, absolutely humbled. When I first decided I wanted to run for office, it was to be a voice for the veterans in Massachusetts and beyond. To be recognized by an organization like AMVETS, it’s humbling,” Velis said.
Velis said many veterans do not feel comfortable seeking help, but there is an effort to “beat back the stigma.” Because veterans face an entirely new battle when they return home, Velis said it is important to provide for them.
“With veterans, you can never do enough. With the wars we’re getting out of, veterans are confronting different circumstance. I’m seeing it personally. There are a lot of issues that are going to be right in front of us legislatively because if there’s any group that deserves it, it’s veterans,” he said.
While Velis is happy to represent veterans, he said is here to help beyond his work on Beacon Hill. He said he visits veterans’ centers in the area on a regular basis to build relationships and see what he can do to help.
“I pride myself on continuing to reach out to veterans advocacy groups throughout the Commonwealth and letting them know they have a friend in me,” Velis said. “It’s putting myself out there as a resource.”