Al Labelle’s service has spanned over 60 years and he has no plans of slowing down. Labelle first served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before transitioning into advocacy work for veterans.
Now as the Benefits Protection Team Leader and Chair of the National Interim Legislation Committee for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Wisconsin, a veterans service organization which provides health care, disability compensation and other services to Wisconsin veterans, Labelle continues to educate veterans on their benefits.
“Outreach and education is a priority, most veterans do not understand the earned benefits that they have,” Labelle told the Cardinal. “Service is our goal.”
Labelle was one of over 400 veterans gathered at the Capitol Tuesday, for Veterans Day, to advocate for legislative support for disabled veterans and the families of missing in action (MIA) servicemembers.
Veterans prioritized the expansion of eligibility for the Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit, which provides veterans and their spouses a refundable property tax credit for Wisconsin residents, and called for funding for the Missing In Action Recovery & Identification Project (UW MIA RIP), which works to repatriate Wisconsin missing in action service members.
First, the Wisconsin Veteran and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit expands the eligibility requirements to include more veterans by lowering the threshold to a 70% disability assessment, instead of 100%. This change would provide an additional $66.5 million in relief for disabled veterans and their families in the state.
Labelle cited the economic benefit in enacting the bill which would allow veterans on limited income to spend their funds on boosting the economy, instead of housing. Despite stalling in the state Legislature for the past six years, the bill is important to the members of DAV.
“We feel as if a priority like that honors our service because all our members in DAV are either wounded, injured or ill veterans,” Labelle said.
Second, veterans also advocated for funding for the UW MIA RIP. Through field excavations and research assistance to families of missing service members, the UW MIA RIP has recovered and repatriated three MIA U.S. service members so far, but none of them are from Wisconsin. Labelle called on the Legislature for increased state funding to continue these efforts.
“I don't think a lot of people understand the anguish that these families have for their missing family members. It becomes agonizing,” Labelle said.
Holly Hoppe, Air Force Veteran and DAV Chapter Service Officer, echoed Labelle’s commitment.
“The state of Wisconsin has great benefits. Our job is to advocate for the veterans and make the veterans aware of what's available,” Hoppe told The Daily Cardinal.
Gov. Tony Evers and Secretary of Veterans Affair James Bond called on lawmakers to support these two priorities, which would improve the livelihood of Wisconsin veterans.
“We've made progress, but there's still much more to do,” Bond said. “The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs cannot do it alone. We need each other. We are stronger together. Wisconsin veterans and their families are better off when we work together.”
In light of recent federal funding cuts to veterans services, Evers has expressed his commitment to Wisconsin veterans. Both priorities emphasized by veterans — the expansion of the Eligibility for the Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit and Funding for the UW MIA RIP, are included in the governor's proposed 2025 budget.
“For the past six years, supporting Wisconsin veterans and her families has been and remains a top priority for me,” Evers said. “These projects and proposals are pro-veteran. I am concerned about the recent federal actions that have gutted funding for critical veteran services and left thousands of veterans without jobs. Let me be clear about this, one, we are fighting for actions with every tool in power and I have and I'll continue to do so.”
Despite past legislative inaction, Labelle and his fellow veterans remain committed to their fight for representation.
“Honor the contract that you will take care of us,” said Jordan Tillsen, legislative chair for the VFW, as he addressed the crowd of veterans. “The people at the U.S. Capitol deployed many of us. Take care of us, do your end of the contract when it comes to that.”
