Veterans of Foreign Wars Honors U.S. Senator Collins with Prestigious 2017 Congressional Award

Click HERE to watch Senator Collins deliver remarks at the VFW reception

Washington, D.C. — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) honored Senator Collins at a legislative reception this evening for her steadfast support of veterans and commitment to strengthening America’s national security. VFW is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of nearly 1.7 million veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces.

Yesterday, VFW members, including National Commander Brian Duffy as well as Maine Commander Steven SanPedro and other Mainers, presented VFW’s 2017 Congressional Award to Senator Collins. The highly prestigious award is given to only one Member of Congress each year in recognition of significant legislative contributions on behalf of those who have worn the uniform.

“It’s our honor to welcome Senator Collins, a life member of the VFW Auxiliary up in Caribou, Maine,” said National Commander Brian Duffy upon introducing Senator Collins. “Senator Collins has a long record of looking out for you—the veterans of America. She has taken the lead on a number of issues, including cosponsoring the Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act…Much needs to be done, and thanks to the leadership of Senator Collins, much will be done to help our veterans. Please give a warm VFW and Auxiliary welcome to one of our biggest advocates here in Congress, Senator Collins.”

“I am deeply honored to be named the recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 2017 Congressional Award,” said Senator Collins during her remarks. “I am especially delighted to be here with the national and Maine leaders of the VFW Auxiliary. Each of you, through your service to our nation in uniform and to our veterans through this great organization, makes me proud to be an advocate for veterans as well as a life member of the VFW Post in my hometown of Caribou.”

Last month, National Commander Duffy sent a letter to Senator Collins announcing that she had been selected to receive the 2017 Congressional Award due to her “support of veterans, service members, their families, and national security programs [that] continue to strengthen America. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, you authored a major overhaul of our nation’s intelligence community and went on to chair the newly created Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Your presence and leadership on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Intelligence, also ensured our country remains safe with increased defense funding to take the fight to the enemy, while keeping sanctions strong on Iran, and forging a bipartisan coalition that ended the 16-day government shutdown in 2013. You also took care of the troops and their families through the passage of critical quality of life programs, such as extended TRICARE coverage, military pay increases, and more community-based outpatient clinics. And your record of not missing a Senate vote in 19 years…is as remarkable as it is a testament to your faithful and dedicated service to our great country and your beloved State of Maine.”

Maine has more veterans per capita than all but two other states.