Last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan Senate Bill 788, providing women veterans an opportunity to display their service to our country by creating a “woman veteran” special license plate.

Earlier this month, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 5127, which expands the eligibility of the Disabled Veteran registration plate to partially disabled veterans. 

House Bill 5127, sponsored by state Representative Mike McFall, expands the eligibility of the Disabled Veteran registration plate to partially disabled veterans. Specifically, it would expand eligibility to veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or more. The plate also provides veterans with free access to Michigan state parks.

Read the full announcement here.

Oakland County once again honored veterans by lighting up the Circuit Court Building in Pontiac green from dusk until dawn from Friday, Nov. 8 through Veterans Day on Nov. 11. This initiative is part of Operation Green Light, a nationwide campaign organized by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers to show gratitude and support for veterans.

Oakland County Veterans’ Services, in collaboration with DTE Energy, distributed 1,000 green light bulbs donated by DTE to residents who wish to participate in Operation Green Light by illuminating their homes green.

Learn more about Operation Green Light here.

More than 634,000 veterans (about 8.8% of the population) make their home in Michigan. The Great Lakes State is proud to honor the sacrifice of those who served with an impressive wealth of Michigan veteran benefits. 

Michigan veteran benefits include (but are not limited to):

• Property tax exemptions
• Homestead credits
• Education and training programs
• Help with employment
• Professional credit for military experience
• Recreational licenses and discounts
• Emergency financial assistance
• Social assistance and support 

A veteran’s military branch, career status, disability status, and residence status can all affect benefit eligibility. Access the Ultimate Guide to Michigan Veterans' Benefits at vaclaimsinsider.com/michigan-veterans-benefits-guide.  

Brandon Latusek – Veterans' Career Advisor, Northeast Michigan

How has your military experience helped you in your position as a Veterans' Career Advisor (VCA)?

My time in the military has provided me with an understanding of the experiences and challenges veterans face. This shared background helps create a common ground, enabling me to connect more effectively with my clients. It allows for more meaningful conversations that enhances the quality of service I can provide.

What should veterans expect when they meet with a VCA?

Veterans can expect a more personalized, one-on-one experience, unlike other settings where they might feel like just another number. I ensure each veteran receives the attention and support they deserve. While Michigan Works! provides valuable services, the volume of clients can sometimes limit the depth of engagement. As a VCA, I focus on delivering a more tailored and comprehensive level of service to veterans.

What resource do you recommend to veterans seeking employment?

I always encourage veterans to fully utilize the resources available at Michigan Works!. Many programs exist that can provide support in various aspects of employment and beyond, but they are often underutilized. By leveraging these services, veterans can gain access to a multitude of opportunities designed to aid in their transition and career development.

At his lowest point, Marine Corps veteran William Tudor found himself facing a tough crossroads—one that many veterans experience. Working far from home on the Gordie Howe Bridge project in Detroit, Tudor felt isolated from his beloved dog Bell and his close-knit Roscommon County community. Without that connection, he struggled with increasing mental health challenges, including PTSD. He had to make a choice: continue in steady employment or prioritize his mental health and well-being.

Understanding the importance of his mental health, Tudor chose the latter and moved back home to Roscommon to rebuild his life. Through the support of his local church and a referral to Michigan Works! Region 7B, William was introduced to Veterans' Career Advisor and fellow Marine Bridget Baker. The two quickly bonded over their shared military service, and Bridget immediately got to work, updating William’s resume and introducing him to weekly meetings attended by veteran job seekers and the local VES team.

“The meetings helped me more than I could have ever imagined,” William shared. “They showed me I wasn’t alone, and I had a support team behind me.”

In addition to helping with his employment search, Michigan Works! Region 7B provided William with a refurbished laptop, allowing him to access critical virtual VA doctor appointments from home. This new tool not only reconnected him to his healthcare but also further anchored him in his support system. The impact was immediate.

"Having the ability to attend my VA appointments remotely was a game-changer. It took a huge weight off my shoulders," said William.

The VES team also got William’s resume into the hands of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, Local 202. In no time, William was offered a role working closer to home on one of Michigan’s most iconic landmarks—Mackinac Island’s historic Grand Hotel. His skills in industrial carpentry made him a perfect fit for restoring the hotel's famed columns, which have stood tall since 1887.

As William worked on these pillars, he realized how closely they mirrored his own journey. Just as the columns provide strength and support to the Grand Hotel, William’s veteran community became his foundation.

“It was through that support I was able to get back on my feet,” William reflected. “Veterans need to know that they are never alone—there are always resources and people ready to help.”

To honor William’s contributions, the Grand Hotel held a special ceremony. As part of the celebration, the hotel provided a private tour of its historic grounds and a lunch for William and his guests. The ceremony not only recognized William’s dedication to the restoration project, but also served as a tribute to his personal journey of overcoming adversity and rebuilding his life.

“We are honored to have worked with William Tudor on our five-year restoration project," shared David Jurcak, the Grand Hotel’s Regional President. "His commitment to ensuring the same craftsmanship used in 1887 was matched today is a testament to his passion and skill. William brought the same level of pride to this project that we have for this historic hotel, and we couldn’t be more proud to have worked with him—one of our nation’s finest.”

From struggling with isolation to restoring a Michigan landmark, William Tudor’s journey stands as a testament to the power of community and resilience. Thanks to the assistance of Michigan Works!, Region 7B, and his veteran network, he has rebuilt his life and is using his story to inspire others.

He has a message for his fellow veterans: “You are never alone, and there is always support to help you rebuild.”

Save the date for the Wayne County Female Veterans Stand Down on Saturday, December 7! The event will take place at 5400 McKinley Street in Dearborn Heights from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reserve your ticket for the free event here. You will need to provide proof of your military service when checking in.

Put your valuable trade skills to work in a new way in Michigan, building the U.S. Navy’s next-generation submarines.

Thanks to the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative, a $10 million partnership aimed at training Michigan workers to lead the future of defense manufacturing, you can learn valuable trade skills and grow your career in Michigan while building the U.S. Navy’s next-generation submarines.

The M3 Initiative will focus on training workers in critical skills for submarine construction, particularly in maritime welding and machining, through local community colleges.

For more information about the M3 Initiative and how to get involved, go to BuildSubmarines.com/Michigan.

Welcome to the Veterans’ Employment Services (VES) Newsletter. Our mission is to assist you and your family secure meaningful careers in Michigan.

The concept of veterans helping veterans is a trademark of the VES team and one of the keys to its success. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning out of the military – finding meaningful employment should not be one of them.

• Veterans in need of employment assistance should contact the nearest Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center by calling 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visiting MichiganWorks.org.
• More information about Veterans’ Employment Services is available at Michigan.gov/VES.
• Register today and start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect at MiTalent.org.