A bill working its way through Wisconsin's Senate would give veterans the opportunity to have their day off, with pay.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), says while bank and postal employees get Veterans Day off, most of the people who fought for our country are still required to go to work. Hansen thinks veterans deserve to be able to celebrate the day which was intended to thank them for their service, and honor those who died.

"Any veteran that is honorably discharged would have the opportunity to have that day off. And I think it's a small price for us to pay for people that have risked so much with the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Iraqi War … and one day a year, to me, is not too much."

Hansen says most people are in favor of the measure, but Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce raised an objection.

"They say it somehow, it's gonna discourage people to hire veterans."

Veterans Day is both a federal and state holiday in all states. The measure giving Wisconsin vets the day off, with pay, received a public hearing in Madison last week.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:13 MP3)

Share the News