[Imc-newsroom] Letter to Editor/News, Veterans sending .50 cents to President Bush

[ColonelDan]

Veterans sending .50 cents to President Bush to help pay for disabled pay

From:
Dan Cedusky
410 W. Columbia Ave, Apt 2
Champaign IL 61820   Ph 217-359-5139
email:  ColonelDan at worldnet.att.net
web site:  http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/
and      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VeteranIssues/


Inasmuch as the U.S. government does not (or, says it doesn't) have the
money to fund Restoration of Retired Pay to Disabled Veterans who have
faithfully served this nation for 20 or more years and had the misfortune to
become disabled as a result of that service, the following action is going
to be taken by all concerned citizens.



We are each going to send a check in the amount of $.50 (50 cents), or
whatever amount each individual wishes, to President George W. Bush for the
purpose of funding Restoration of Retired Pay to Disabled Veterans.  The
purpose is not to fund it, but to get their attention.



All concerned citizens of this country are invited to join this effort to
finally correct an injustice which has lasted for over 100 years.  Congress
has legislation pending in both houses to correct this practice (HR 303 and
S 392)and there are currently 284 co-sponsors in the House and 58
co-sponsors in the Senate (as of 5/16/2003).  But this does not insure
passage.  In the 107th Congress, there were 402 co-sponsors in the House and
83 co-sponsors in the Senate, but the legislation was dropped because the
White House threatened a veto.



When a military member serves his or her country honorably and faithfully
for 20 or more years he or she is entitled to Retirement Pay.  If that same
service member becomes disabled as a result of that service
(service-connected disability), he or she is also entitled to receive VA
Disability Compensation based upon the percentage of disability as
determined by the VA.  This Disability Compensation is paid to EVERY
disabled veteran who applies and is approved by the VA.  The problem is that
the RETIRED veteran must forfeit, on a dollar for dollar basis, his or her
Military Retirement Pay in order to receive Disability Compensation.  So, in
effect, the retired veteran is required to PAY FOR HIS OR HER OWN
DISABILITY. This does not affect anyone else.  Only Military Retirees.  At
the present time, there are approximately 500,000 individuals affected this
way.



If this country has billions upon billions of dollars to rebuild Iraq and
Afghanistan and to give foreign aid to countries who certainly do not have
our best interests at heart, it only seems fair that the government could
find the money to stop depriving those who gave the most to the country of
what they have EARNED through their service.



This effort is being mounted by a dedicated group of veterans and
non-veterans alike who have formed an organization called SUPPORT THE VETS
http://supportthevets.com for the sole purpose of getting this legislation
passed by Congress and signed by the President.



Please join in this effort in any way you can.  Remember to make out your
check to:  George W. Bush and send it to:

President George W. Bush

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Washington. D.C.,  20500




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