In the coming days the U.S Senate will be voting on the Webb/Hagel post 9-11 GI Bill for veterans. One would think that this would be a no brainer to vote in favor of. Apparently the bi-partisan bill isn't for all though. Despite support from the American Legion, VFW and several Iraq and Afghanistan veteran organizations, it is not supported by Sen. John McCain, our own Sen. David Vitter, or most importantly President Bush.
The original GI Bill signed into law by FDR provided full educational benefits to our nation's returning heroes by giving them alternatives when they left service. Today's GI Bill in many cases doesn't even cover 60 percent of the cost of college. We as veterans are asking that after a three-year commitment that we be given the chance to go to school without being in debt to the country we served.
The opposition has decided that three years is not enough and doesn't show a commitment. They are, in fact, saying that if a soldier spends two out of three years deployed that this is even not enough to deserve a cost-free education.
The White House has also voiced concern that soldiers would leave service after the three-year commitment because the educational benefits would be so great. This argument is downright appalling. Have we become a country dependent on maintaining our forces by keeping them from further opportunities in life? Our current foreign policy shows little to no direction. Why can't we at least give our courageous veterans the educational opportunities to make a difference?
David Brignac
Operation Enduring Freedom veteran
Baton Rouge
Nice job, David. Once again, folks, please call Sinator Vitter's office and tell them Vitter ought to support our veterans. The numbers are below:
DC Office - 202.224.4623
If you want to make a local call, click here.
