SR-101, As Adopted by Senate, November 1, 2007

            Senators Pappageorge, Allen, Richardville, Birkholz, Garcia, Kahn, Hardiman, Jelinek, Gilbert, Van Woerkom, Patterson, Cropsey, McManus, Cassis, Kuipers, Jansen, Olshove, Jacobs, Stamas, Brown, Cherry, Barcia, Switalski, Gleason, Whitmer, Sanborn and Bishop offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 101.

            A resolution to urge the Department of Defense to provide copies of Defense Department Form 214 to the home county of each member of the Armed Forces at the conclusion of their service.

            Whereas, Upon discharge from the Armed Forces, each person receives a copy of their Defense Department Form 214, also known as the DD 214. These discharge papers summarize the military record of each soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine, including rank, military occupational specialty, awards and decorations, service overseas, and the type of discharge, among other information; and

            Whereas, The DD 214 is a valuable document essential for veterans to demonstrate that they qualify for a variety of benefits and assistance available to veterans. From health services, to veterans preferences in employment, to burial honors, the DD 214 is indispensable for veterans and their families. Unfortunately, the importance of the DD 214 is not always recognized by members of the Armed Forces when they leave the military. This form is often stuffed in a drawer or box and forgotten. It is easily misplaced in the years after discharge. Years later, when the form is needed, a veteran may not know where to go to acquire a replacement; and

            Whereas, The traditional location for safely storing discharge papers such as the DD 214 has been the county clerk where the veteran lives. This secure method of local storage, however, requires a veteran to file the document. While means of requesting replacement forms exist at both the state and federal level, restoring the value of the county storage option where the veterans live and work would reduce the chance that veterans will miss benefits they have earned with their service because they do not know where to get their DD 214; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Department of Defense to send the DD 214 of a discharged member of the Armed Forces to the county clerk in the county designated by the member as their home county; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Defense.