BELLEVILLE – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski are set to meet with local veterans and leaders from Metro East Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025. The meeting will take place at VFW Post 4183 in Belleville.
The discussion will focus on the ongoing impacts of the Trump Administration’s policies on the veteran community, including reported layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), interruptions in federal funding, and reductions in veteran care services.
Duckworth, a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Budzinski, who serves on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, aim to address these issues with representatives from local organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion.
Duckworth is a retired Army National Guard lieutenant and colonel. A combat veteran of the Iraq War, she served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. In 2024, her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents. She lost both legs and mobility in her front arm.
Community members interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by 10 AM CT on the day of the event by contacting Grace Christin at the provided email address.
RSVP to [email protected] by Sunday, March 30.
