WASHINGTON (Jan. 26, 2005) - The leader of the nation's largest
military veterans organization has reacted strongly to comments
made
by the Pentagon's undersecretary for personnel and readiness, Dr.
David Chu.
Chu was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article Tuesday, pitting
veterans from past wars against those currently serving in the war
on terrorism, alleging veterans' benefits were taking away funds
from national defense.
"His remarks about veterans' pay and benefits that 'the amounts
have
gotten to the point where they are hurtful...they are taking away
from the nation's ability to defend itself' is a slap in the face
to
every veteran who took the oath to uphold and defend the
constitution against all enemies," Cadmus wrote in a letter to the
editor of the Journal.
"Our country cannot separate military retirees from veterans - a
veteran is a veteran!" asserted Thomas P. Cadmus, national
commander
of The American Legion. "When their country called all gave their
best - some gave their last - and they deserve the best our
country
can give them."
"G.I. Joe and Jane have given all they have in this war and all
the
wars of the 20th century. They are not getting rich on what Dr.
Chu
seems to think is a gravy train," said Cadmus.
According to Cadmus, countless billions have been spent on wars
past
but precious little on those who fight for America's freedom.
"America has spent well over $200 billion on battling terrorism in
Iraq and Afghanistan," Cadmus said. "Dr. Chu seems to think that
$2
billion for VA health care in fiscal year 2005 and $6 billion to
modernize the VA health care system is too much."
Cadmus made it quite clear that the 2.7 million men and women of
The
American Legion will continue to fight for veterans rights and
issues.
"VA health care is an ongoing cost of war," Cadmus said. "That is
why any budget forecast for war must include funding for those men
and women in uniform who will, God forbid, acquire physical and
emotional injuries as a cost of freedom."
"It is incomprehensible that some bureaucrats would even think
that
our veterans are second class citizens and would not want to
include
them in the budget process!" declared Cadmus.
"America has never begrudged the expense of taking care of our men
and women in uniform who, as President Lincoln stated in 1865,
"shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan,"
quoted Cadmus.
"It is a moral contract that must never be broken," Cadmus said.
Media Contact:; Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cellular 317/748-1926
or
Wade Habshey (317) 630-1255