U.S. attorney to address Veterans

Civil rights that are exclusive to veterans and military personnel will be the focus of U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade's keynote presentation at the Canton Community Foundation's 3rd Annual Veterans' Summit on Thursday, Sept. 13. McQuade's presentation builds on the strength and growing popularity of the foundation's annual forums that inform veterans about benefits and programs available through Veterans Affairs. She will discuss the laws that protect the civil rights of service members while on active duty and on their return to civilian life. Specifically, McQuade will discuss employment rights of active military and veterans, financial protections while deployed, voting rights while stationed overseas, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. As an example, McQuade said, financial protections exist that include rental agreements, security deposits, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage foreclosure and auto leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments. "We want to raise awareness to ensure that service members and veterans' rights to employment, economic opportunity and voting are protected," McQuade said. "Those who have sacrificed so much for the rest of us deserve the full protection of the law." McQuade will speak on the second day of the two-day Veterans' Summit. The first day, Sept. 12, is devoted to attorneys and legal advocates who work with veterans. The forum will provide updated information on veteran benefits and provide eligible attendees with continuing legal education credits that are required to obtain and maintain accreditation with Veterans Affairs. "We are excited that the U.S. Attorney asked to speak at our summit," said Joan Noricks, president of the Canton Community Foundation. "Her talk about civil rights is timely as public attention has turned to problems facing soldiers returning from overseas deployment and to older veterans in need of help." The second day, which begins at 8:30 a.m., is entirely for veterans, family members and caregivers. This portion of the event will take veterans through the available VA benefits for which they may be eligible. Veterans and their guests are invited to a free lunch during which McQuade will speak. Veterans are encouraged to remain at the summit for the afternoon session, beginning at 1 p.m. when they can meet with a host of benefit representatives until 4 p.m. The arrival of the VA Mobile Vet Center will be an added bonus to the event. Veterans are asked to bring their discharge papers (Form DD 214). If a veteran does not have them, a benefit representative can retrieve the paperwork. Veterans will also have an opportunity in the afternoon to meet directly with benefit representatives from the VA Detroit Regional Office, VA National Cemetery, OIF/OEF Coordinators from Ann Arbor and Detroit VAMCs, VA Educational Benefits, VA Healthcare System, VFW, DAV, MPVA, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Michigan County Counselors. Veterans are asked to register for the event at www.cantonfoundation.org or 734-495-1200. Published: Fri, Sep 7, 2012

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