ICYMI: Veteran Credits Ciscomani's Office With Protecting His Benefits in Arizona Daily Star

TUCSON - When Tucson veteran Jerry Smith faced the potential loss of his 100% disability rating, Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s office went to work.

In a guest opinion published last week in the Arizona Daily Star, Smith detailed how Ciscomani’s team stepped in, contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs on his behalf and helped him retain the benefits he earned through his service.

“As a veteran, I can count on Congressman Juan Ciscomani to fight for me,” Smith wrote. “My experience with Congressman Ciscomani and his entire team has been nothing but amazing, and I am beyond grateful to know that my congressman will go to bat for veterans like myself.”

Smith served in the U.S. Navy before spending years protecting his community as a firefighter. When his disability rating was placed at risk last year, Ciscomani’s office submitted an inquiry to the VA and stayed engaged until the issue was resolved. His team continued checking in afterward to make sure Smith had the support he needed.

“Not only has our congressman helped countless veterans like myself by making sure we receive the benefits we have earned, but he also fights for us in Congress by giving us a voice in Washington,” Smith wrote. “There is no question that Congressman Ciscomani has put in the work for us here at home.”

Smith says he plans to cast his vote for Ciscomani on November 3, and he's encouraging every veteran he knows to do the same.

“Jerry’s story is what this job is all about. Nearly 80,000 veterans call AZ-06 home, and every one of them deserves a representative who will show up and fight for them,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “I’m proud of the bipartisan progress we’ve made through legislation like the Elizabeth Dole Act and the VETS Opportunity Act. But legislation is only as meaningful as the difference it makes in someone’s life. When Jerry needed help, our team acted. That should be the standard every veteran in this district deserves, not the exception.”

Read the full guest opinion in the Arizona Daily Star here.

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Arizona Daily Star

Local opinion: Veteran credits Ciscomani’s office with protecting his benefits

As a veteran, I can count on Congressman Juan Ciscomani to fight for me.

Last year, I faced the potential loss of my 100% disability rating. Ciscomani's team stepped in to submit an inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs on my behalf. Because of their tireless efforts, I did not lose my rating. Not only did Ciscomani's team get me the help I needed, they still check in with me periodically to see if there is anything else I might need help with.

I also received one of the congressman's Veteran Servant Leader Awards in May, recognizing my time serving in the U.S. Navy and the years I spent as a firefighter afterward. This truly meant so much to me, and I really appreciate the congressman taking the time to recognize the sacrifice and service of veterans across Southern Arizona.

My experience with Congressman Ciscomani and his entire team has been nothing but amazing, and I am beyond grateful to know that my congressman will go to bat for veterans like myself.

With the election coming up in just a matter of weeks, I am proud to support Congressman Ciscomani. I have told my family and friends about everything he has done for me and have encouraged every one of them to vote for Ciscomani in November.

Not only has our congressman helped countless veterans like myself by making sure we receive the benefits we have earned, but he also fights for us in Congress by giving us a voice in Washington.

His voting record and the bills he has introduced show a clear pattern of advocating for veterans in Southern Arizona and beyond. There is no question that Congressman Ciscomani has put in the work for us here at home. His continued commitment to supply the support we need to live a happy and healthy life after our time in service does not go unnoticed.

To say that our congressman supports veterans is an extreme understatement. He has fought from his first day in office to ensure that the thousands of veterans who call this district home are heard and advocated for.

I want to say thank you to Congressman Ciscomani and his whole team for what they do day in and day out for veterans. After our time in uniform has ended, life goes on, but with a unique set of challenges. I am so grateful for Congressman Ciscomani's dedication to helping me navigate those challenges. Because of him, I know my concerns are heard. Never in my life have I heard, "Thank you for your service" as much as I have from the congressman and his team.

So thank you, Congressman Ciscomani, for the work you have done and continue to do so that I and all other veterans in Arizona's 6th District have the tools and resources we need.

I am especially looking forward to casting my vote for Congressman Ciscomani on Nov. 3, and encourage all veterans to do the same.