Photo By Lt. Col. John Hall | Spc. Brandon Cohoon stands vigilantly by during the 100th legislature swearing-in...... read more read more
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Michigan’s 100th legislature swearing-in ceremony of senate members occurred on January 9, 2018 in the state capitol, touting veteran representation in those participating in the ceremony and among the senators themselves.
The Michigan National Guard’s Military Funeral Honors honor guard opened and closed the ceremony through the presentation and retreat of the colors by Staff Sgt. Phillip Slocum and Spc. Brandon Cohoon.
During the ceremony, recently elected senators from Michigan’s 38 districts spoke and signed their oaths of office on the senate floor. Included among these was Chief Warrant Officer Tom Barrett, a helicopter pilot with the 1-122th Aviation in Grand Ledge who took his place as Senator of the 24th District, which encompasses Eaton, Clinton, Shiawassee, and the north-eastern portion of Ingham County.
When Barrett returned to Michigan from Iraq in 2008, he said he saw a need for more extensive representation of veterans.
“When I came back, I saw a lot of friends of mine who had really struggled to reintegrate back home here in Michigan. Michigan, at the time, had the second highest veteran unemployment rate in the entire country and I decided I wanted to do something about it,” Barrett said.
He was elected as a state representative for the 71st district in 2014, where he held two consecutive terms before running for the senate in 2018.
“I certainly appreciate the support of my chain of command as I have this responsibility in the legislature as well as my responsibilities with the Army. I enjoy being able to do both jobs, serving my country in the Army while serving our state here in the legislature,” Barrett said.
Barrett continued that he was and is the only Iraq veteran during his time in the House and Senate, and that representation will mark a bright future for the representation Michigan’s veterans.
“I have really tried to emphasize veteran issues and improving quality of care for veterans in Michigan. I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve had, but we have a lot of room left to go,” Barrett said.
| Date Taken: | 01.09.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.11.2019 08:16 |
| Story ID: | 306655 |
| Location: | LANSING, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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