Committee hears briefings on Missouri Veterans Recognition Program and Veteran Reads resilience program

The committee received two informational presentations after bills and hearings. Scott Miller and Nathan Weldy (both retired from the Missouri Army National Guard and now state employees) described the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program: the program issues medallions, medals, and certificates signed by the governor, documents eligibility rules tied to RSMo 42.17, and can help veterans and families locate service records such as DD-214s.

Joshua Shinn, an MU Extension engagement and community-development specialist, presented Veteran Reads (REEDS), a reading-and-discussion program he piloted in the Kansas City metro area. Shinn described the program's upstream, resilience-building approach—emphasizing that narrative work can reduce isolation and help participants reinterpret traumatic experience. He cited state statistics raised in testimony that Missouri has a high veteran suicide rate and framed the program as an upstream complement to clinical care.

Committee members thanked presenters and asked operational questions about program reach and expansion; presenters said Missouri Veterans Recognition is well established and that Veteran Reads is active mainly in the Kansas City metro with interest in expansion but currently limited staff capacity.

Why it matters: These presentations point committee members to state-run resources for honoring veterans and community-based resilience programs that supplement clinical services; members noted the value of referrals and local outreach.

Next steps: Committee members and staff may follow up on program materials and contact information; no formal committee action was requested in these presentations.