ON THE JOB FOR MICHIGAN: Daughter of Michigan Gold Star Veteran Highlights Senator Peters’ Efforts to Retrieve Her Late Father’s Military Awards, Recognize His Service

WASHINGTON, DC – In a new “On the Job” video from U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) office, Michigander Sheri Sivec thanks Peters for his efforts to help retrieve several military honors posthumously awarded her late father, Captain James McClain, for his service in the Vietnam War. Sivec, a resident of Farwell, Michigan, contacted Peters’ office for assistance acquiring her father’s Gold Star Lapel Button. While working on her case, Peters’ office also discovered several other medals that Captain McClain received for his service, including a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Peters’ office also uncovered a letter that Sivec’s father wrote when he applied to become a U.S. Army officer, where he stated that he wanted to join the Army to give his children a better future. Ms. Sivec has said that the discovery of this letter “literally changed [her] life.” During the annual Veterans Day Breakfast at Saginaw Valley State University last year, Peters presented Sivec and her family with her father’s military accolades and recognized their profound service and sacrifice to our country. The video with Sivec is a part of the On the Job for Michigan series, which highlights Peters’ leadership and advocacy on behalf of constituents and communities across Michigan.

"I had applied for the Gold Star pin for the Army, and I hadn't heard in a year, so I got a hold of Senator Peters' office, and they went far above and beyond what I asked for. They literally changed my life,” said Sivec. “They got his military records, and in those records was a letter from him stating why he should be considered an Officer in the Army, and he did it all for his kids, which I had no idea... And then the next thing I know, they had a ceremony at Saginaw Valley. It was my birthday, so Senator Peters wished me a happy birthday, and somebody asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I said, 'I don't need anything for my birthday. Senator Peters and his staff gave me the greatest birthday ever.'”

Watch Sivec’s “On the Job” video here. You can also see the video posted on X/Twitter.

“Throughout our history, generations of brave Michiganders, like Captain James McClain, have answered the call to defend our democracy and our freedoms. Captain McClain was a true American hero, who was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and give his children a better future,” said Senator Peters. “I am honored to have helped to recognize his profound bravery and selflessness, as well as the sacrifices of Sheri and her whole family.”

After serving in the Michigan National Guard, Captain McClain enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He served as a Civic Action Advisor in the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division in South Vietnam from February to July of 1964, where he helped build roads and provide support to local innocent civilians impacted by the war. Captain McClain was tragically killed when he and fellow servicemembers were ambushed by Viet Cong forces while returning from a mission. In addition, to the Purple Heart, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stars, McClain was also awarded with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam National Order Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksman Badge, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

As the son of a World War II veteran and a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Peters is committed to supporting our nation’s servicemembers and veterans. In 2021, Peters was inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor for his efforts to support our nation’s veterans and military. In 2017, Peters was recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America for authoring the bipartisan Fairness for Veterans Act, which was signed into law as part of the national defense bill. The legislation requires veteran discharge review boards to give liberal consideration to petitions for honorable discharge status if the servicemember has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or other related conditions connected to their military service. As of the fall of 2020, more than 1,500 veterans have had their discharges upgraded since his legislation was enacted. In 2022, Peters helped enact into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act – which delivered VA health care and benefits to all generations of toxic-exposed veterans – and their survivors – for the first time in our nation’s history. As of August 2024, nearly 43,000 veterans across Michigan have applied for the benefits made available under this law.

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