Today, WTVA 9 reported on the Senator Wicker billboards we placed in Jackson and Tupelo.
But I want to be clear about what made this happen.
This did not happen because of me or Pass The Act ( PassTheAct.org) Team alone.
It happened because of the bravery of Mississippi veterans who answered the call when I reached out and asked for anyone willing to step up. It happened because PassTheAct.org set up their website and continue to take in donations to fund these billboards. It happened because veterans and military families pulled their own money together to put the truth on the highway in Wicker’s backyard and his church in Tupelo, Mississippi. It happened because you, the signer of this petition. This petition is something we can all watch grow together. Each signer says I am in this fight with you guys. That means more than I can ever express.
Most of us do not even live in Mississippi. That makes it more powerful, not less. This was a team effort across state lines and even international waters, led by people who refused to accept a media blackout and refused to stay quiet. We are the grass roots movement that does not care to have a private meeting in an office in DC and walk out without anything accomplished. Passing the Major Star Act is not a favor from any Senator in congress, it is our right to receive our pensions. 4 congresses have passed so far, soon to be 5 and Major Richard Star Act has not even been voted on. We will change this.
Senator Wicker chose political self-destruction the moment he went against veterans who already did their time in the desert. We tried being nice asking him to pass the bill. This does not, and will not work. It did not take violence. It did not take riots or burning down our own cities. It did not take back-room deals or political favors. It took your support.
We are not politicians. Most of us are hardened enlisted veterans, and officers too, who understand patience, endurance, and follow-through. We will not accept fighting foreign wars only to have a fellow veteran dismiss pensions that are ours by law as a “double benefit.” We hope no one else decides to occupy the same space Senator Wicker chose, because what we have is time and unmatched motivation. The billboards and the articles were not the goal; they were the consequence. And if more are needed to stand up for our 54,000 brothers and sisters, we are ready to answer that call again.
I am damn proud of the courage and motivation of everyone who made this happen.
This is what real momentum looks like. Not a trending post. Not a press release, not hanging up some posters in DC. Real world pressure that forces attention is what this will continue to take.
Thank you to every donor, every veteran who stepped forward, and every family who contributed. You helped break the silence.
More updates soon.. Merry Christmas to all of you! A solid win to reenergize and motivate our advocates was much needed. Keep this petition circulating! Please get 5 more friends and family to sign before January 1, 2026. Once we hit 10K signatures I will push this to every national media outlet you have my word.
Here's the WTVA9 coverage! Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/zMYuPw4ELTA?si=gwCBV7mgpcB0LPcy
A friendly reminder that Senator Wicker's Facebook is https://Facebook.com/SenatorWicker and X is @SenatorWicker. Be nice :)
-Senior Chief Shane Junkert (USN Retired)