May 24, 2023 10:00 AM
Memorial Day Service
Congressman Mark Takano, D-Calif., Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, will be joining the Portage Memorial Day Service.
Takano. elected to Congress in 2012, was elected Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in 2019.
The Memorial Day Service, co-hosted by the City of Portage and American Legion Post 260 , will be held at noon, Monday, May 29 at Founders Square.
Under his Chairmanship, the Committee passed several pieces of landmark legislation in his efforts to improve care and benefits for our nation’s
veterans. In 2019, the monumental Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act was signed into law to provide VA care and benefits to veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the waters around Vietnam. After starting the Women Veterans Task Force in the 116th Congress, Chairwoman Julia Brownley’s Deborah Sampson Act was signed into law as the most comprehensive legislation for
women veterans in over a decade. Chairman Takano’s Veterans' COMPACT Act was also signed into law at the end of the 116th Congress to further the Committee’s work to meaningfully reduce suicide by addressing key preventative factors. In 2022, Chairman Takano's Honoring our PACT Act – the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades – was signed into law, expanding benefits and care to over 3.5
million toxic-exposed veterans.
In addition to Takano, Congressman Frank Mrvan, State Rep. Chuck Moseley, Mayor Sue Lynch, Portage Fire Chief Randy Wilkening, along with Legion officials, will speak.
The service will also include the laying of the wreath, Portage High School Choraliers, Portage High School JROTC members and the reading of the Roll of Honor recognizing those service personnel with Portage ties who lost their lives in service to their country.
Following the service, American Legion Post 260 Ladies Auxiliary will provide a free hot dog luncheon.
Please bring a lawn chair or blanket.
