Kansas council and chapter members convinced state legislators to pass a bill that provides many protections and benefi ts to servicemembers and their families, ranging from allowing private-sector employers to estab- lish a veterans’ hiring preference to providing in-state tuition rates to servicemembers and their families at state colleges and universities. Gov. Sam Brownback also signed a procla- mation making June Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month.

Council and chapter members say they will continue to support both federal and state legislation that posi- tively aff ects servicemembers and their families. Sweeney says as a re- tired military offi cer, she feels obligat- ed to voice the needs of today’s troops and advocate for legislation that will help them in the future. “I’ve benefi ted from the GI bill [and] used VA health benefi ts and have a military retirement,” Sweeney says. “I enjoy all of those things be- cause someone else fought for them.”

Mentoring veterans Meetings of the Southern Nevada Chapter in Las Vegas are fun, and members enjoy sharing stories about their travels and time in the service. But members also support 21 area Junior ROTC and two ROTC pro- grams, are active legislative advo- cates, have a designated scholarship with MOAA’s Scholarship Fund, and participate in Wreaths Across Amer- ica and other projects that benefi t servicemembers and their families. In 2011, Southern Nevada Chapter member and former Marine Corps Capt. Judge Mark Stevens helped start a veteran treatment court in Henderson, Nev. Rather than incar- cerate veterans who act out and com- mit misdemeanor crimes, veteran treatment courts give servicemem- bers the option to seek treatment for issues such as post-traumatic stress and substance abuse. Veterans also

PHOTOS: SHELLEY JENSEN PHOTOGRAPHY; PREVIOUS SPREAD, JENNY ANDERSON

Maj. Michelle Sweeney, ANG (Ret), left, reviews legislative materials with Kaw Valley (Kan.) Chapter President Lt. Col. Raymond Rhodd, USA (Ret), at the Kansas statehouse.