Tester joins ‘virtual march’ in support of disabled veterans

Senator addresses legislation for rural veterans in internet message

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today teamed up with veterans, advocates and lawmakers around the country to march in support of America’s disabled veterans—from behind his computer.

The national veterans’ service organization Disabled American Veterans (DAV) invited Tester to take part in its innovative Virtual March on Washington.  The virtual march is a national project that compiles YouTube messages, online chats and blogs to raise awareness of veterans’ issues.

Tester is a national leader in improving health care for America’s veterans—especially for those living in rural states like Montana.

“We need to live up to our promises that we made to our men and women in uniform,” Tester said in his YouTube message today to Montana’s veterans.  “And that’s why I’m taking part in this march—to raise awareness to the people around the country—that we have an obligation to our fighting men and women and we need to live up to that obligation.”

Tester’s one-and-a-half-minute YouTube message for the Virtual March on Washington is online HERE.

Tester noted that all Montana veterans are welcome to contact his office as a resource for navigating paperwork, filing claims and receiving benefits.  Veterans can call Tester’s office toll-free at (866) 554-4403.

Tester is a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  The Committee in May passed Tester’s Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, which would significantly boost veterans’ health care across Montana.

Tester also played a key role in getting the Veterans Administration to open new mental health care facilities—called Vet Centers—in Great Falls and Kalispell.