St. Paul, MN - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement in honor of America's 23 million veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day.

"With almost 400,000 veterans calling Minnesota home, I am grateful and humbled by their service and the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our country," said Congresswoman McCollum. "This Congress has taken dramatic steps forward in making investments in veterans' health care and services - increasing those services our veterans earned and deserve. I will continue to fight to protect and defend the benefits our veterans depend upon - including expanded mental health screening and treatment to treat PTSD and traumatic brain injury for Iraq and Afghan war veterans - from proposed budget cuts in the next Congress. Congress should not try to balance the budget on the backs of our veterans and their families."

Congresswoman McCollum will be attending the following Veterans Day events:

• Oakdale Veteran's Memorial Groundbreaking
Thursday, November 11, 9-9:30 AM
Oakdale City Hall
1584 Hadley Ave N
Oakdale, MN

• Minnesota State Veterans Day Event
Thursday, November 11, 10-11 AM
Veterans Memorial Community Center
8055 Barbara Ave
Inver Grove Heights, MN

• Eastside Veterans Lunch
Thursday, November 1-1:30 PM
Rice Palace Buffet
1626 White Bear Ave N
St. Paul, MN

• Kaposia Education Center Veterans Day Ceremony
Thursday, November 11, 2-3 PM
Kaposia Education Center Gymnasium
1225 First Avenue South
South St. Paul, MN

• Gallagher-Hansen VFW Post 295 Fish Fry
Friday, November 12, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
111 South Concord Exchange
South St. Paul, MN

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