By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to be a veteran.

“Less than one-half of one percent of our population serves in the military, and a lot of times it can be difficult to fully grasp what veterans have been through and the issues they face unless you have served yourself,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), the Senate chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “The secretary is going to be the position in our state with the highest obligation of representing our service members and this amendment ensures whoever fills that position has had these experiences and understands what it truly means to serve.”