HR 2647 has good points for our current military personnel. Known as 'The 2010 National Defense Authorization Act' http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2647enr.txt.pdf this legislation was signed into existence by President Obama in October. It raises the basic pay (for all sections of the military; including Guard and Reserve). It also freezes co pay for the Tricare inpatients. But a few pieces of the bill were dropped before the signing.
The American Legion http://www.legion.org/homepage.php representatives are taken aback by the removal of a few of the provisions. The dropped provisions include; the ending of the widow's death tax, the phase out of the Disabled Veterans' Tax and the halt of increases of TriCare fees.
The National Commander, Clarence Hill, said this to the Hoosier Legionnaire, in the Sept/Oct 2009 issue. "For more than a century, disabled military retirees had to unfairly forfeit portions of their retirement pay to offset their disability, even though they were the only Americans required to do this. Finally, after way too long, Congress and the White House promised to correct this injustice. The President's promise, at least for Chapter 61 medical retirees, is now being broken".
Although there are some provisions of the Defense Authorization Act that the American Legion fully supports. Commander Hill promised to use the Legion's resources to reinstate the scheduled phase out of the Disabled Veterans' Tax, also called concurrent receipt.
Commander Hill gave this statement about the needs of financial protection in healthcare for disabled veterans. " These are not second class citizens, but rather America's heroes. It is time for a new bill to be introduced - Lest We Forget Act - to address the nation's unfinished business concerning the military community".
Comments
''Disabled Veterans get bayonetted by Congress & Obama.''
This MUST be a total fabrication! The democrats, our saviors, told us repeatedly that the Bush Administration were the ones who acted disgracefully towards our Veterans.
For those of you that voted for the empty suit from Chicago...how's that ''hope and change'' working out for you now?????
Bayonetted???
The American Legion Celebrates Signing of Landmark VA Advance Funding Bill
Commander Hill thanks The American Legion family for their hard work
To clarify, I just reported something that came across my desk. As for the Legion, this article is strictly my take. Mr. Hill did commend the legislation in regards to most matters enclosed in the bill.
Everty party, as a whole, in Wasington and many other entities have acted disgracefully towards our veterans. The Bush years were pitiful and the Obama years aren't any better, so far.
Senator Coburn is this years murderer of CRDP
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!