Sen. Larry Walker (R — Perry) was recently named the recipient of the LTC Joseph Barto Award by the Georgia Military Officers Association of America. The award was given to recognize Sen. Walker for his service and dedication to supporting our nation’s military in the state Senate, and especially for his efforts in passing Senate Bill 108, which created a Women Veterans Office in the Department of Veterans Service.

“I am thankful for everything the Georgia Military Officers Association does for our large veteran population,” said Sen. Walker. “Our state has over 750,000 veterans, of which about 100,000 are women. We want to make sure that all our veterans know how much we appreciate their service and that they are taken care of, treated with respect and receive the veteran benefits they have earned. Governor Deal, recognizing that our women veterans were an underserved segment of our veteran population, supported the effort to create a women veterans office in Georgia. The purpose of this office is to focus on the unique needs of our female veterans. I am proud to have introduced and passed SB 108 which establishes this office, and I am honored to have received the LTC Joseph C. Barto, Jr. service award from the GMOAA. I look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to make Georgia a veteran-friendly state.”