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Saturday, July 5, 2008

OPINION

Letter: GI Bill benefits for today’s veterans

  • Published: May 22, 2008 - Page: 6B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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


Comments (7)
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Former Republican
Thursday, May 22, 2008
12:29 AM

And yet Republicans accuse Democrats of not "supporting the troops" when we want to reward them for their service with a new GI bill. Apparently, an even worse crime is acting to try to take them out of harm's way in Iraq - where they should not have been anyway. Don't fall for the Republican lies about "supporting the troops". They're nowhere to be found when it's time to reward those who sacrifice to defend our nation.
mike day
Thursday, May 22, 2008
3:48 AM

you nailed it david. thanks for "all" your service home and abroad
mj
Thursday, May 22, 2008
4:44 AM

You know. I campaigned for Vitter in 2004, defended him when his sex scandal broke out, and until a few days ago when I learned of Vitter's opposition to the new GI bill had every intention of voting for him. If he goes through with his opposition of the new GI bill he will have lost my respect and my vote.
Jim
Thursday, May 22, 2008
8:13 AM

Please contact Sen. Vitters office on this vital issue. Also please consider thanking Sen. Landrieu for her support of the troops Sen. Vitters Office Sen Landrieu's Office Washington (202) 224-4623 (202) 224-5824
David Brignac
Thursday, May 22, 2008
4:28 PM

Sen.Vitter changed his vote today!The effort on the part of everyone who called or wrote is what made this a success. We originally had 58 votes which by the end became 75 voting yea
David Brignac
Thursday, May 22, 2008
4:29 PM

Sen.Vitter changed his vote today!The effort on the part of everyone who called or wrote is what made this a success. We originally had 58 votes which by the end became 75 voting yea.
David Brignac
Thursday, May 22, 2008
4:30 PM

Sen.Vitter changed his vote today!The effort on the part of everyone who called or wrote is what made this a success. We originally had 58 votes which by the end became 75 voting yea.
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