DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is pleased to announce the expansion of the "Honor a Veteran with Your Vote" program. The program is a way to pay tribute to those brave men and women who served our country in the military and risked their lives to protect our right to vote.

"I believe we cannot say 'thank you' enough to everyone who wore the uniform and defended our freedoms," Secretary of State Pate said. "Choosing our elected representatives through voting is a sacred right that our Founding Fathers fought for 235 years ago. Every U.S. soldier defends that right. They deserve to be honored."

The expansion of the Honor a Veteran with Your Vote program coincides with Veterans Day, November 11, 2015, and the beginning of the 2016 electoral cycle.

Iowans can make a tribute to veterans through the Honor a Veteran with Your Vote program either online or through postcards that are available through veteran-affiliated organizations throughout the state, such as American Legion halls.

People wishing to make a tribute to a veteran online can go to www.HonorAVet.net, click on 'Honor a Veteran', fill out the form and include a message to the veteran they are honoring. The person making the tribute and the veteran, if they are still with us, will both receive an 'Honor a Veteran with Your Vote' lapel pin in the mail. The lapel pins are red, white and blue in the shape of the state of Iowa.

"We want people to wear these Honor a Veteran lapel pins when they go to vote. That includes on Iowa Caucus Night," Secretary Pate said. "I want all Iowans to exercise their right to vote, and also honor a veteran when they do so."

A new feature to the program is the ability to include a photo of the veteran being honored. This can be done via the Honor a Veteran Facebook page: www.facebook.com/HonoraVeteran. Click on the 'Submit a Veteran Tribute' app on the left side of the screen. This will allow visitors to upload a photo, which will then be added to the Honor a Veteran website and Facebook page.

The Secretary of State's Office is partnering with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion of Iowa and other veteran-affiliated organizations to raise awareness of the program.

"The Honor a Veteran with Your Vote program is a way that Iowans can recognize and honor loved ones and friends who served or are currently serving in the military," said Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Col. Robert King. "I was nominated to the program and feel good to be recognized for what I contributed while serving in our military."

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