In 1944, the original G.I. Bill provided for the full cost of a higher education plus a living allowance for our Greatest Generation of WWII veterans. More than 60 years later, today's newest greatest generation deserves nothing less than the same.
While the original G.I. Bill was allowed to erode since that time, Wisconsin has been among a handful of states that provide veterans educational assistance to make up for that lack of adequate federal G.I. Bill educational benefits. I'm proud that the Wisconsin G.I. Bill waives tuition and fees at any public college or university for Wisconsin veterans, and for the spouses and children of seriously disabled veterans and those killed in action or who die in the line of duty.
However, individual states' taxpayers and charitable donors should not have to make up the difference between the cost of an education and the amount of federal G.I. Bill benefits provided to our newest greatest generation.
In February, my fellow state directors of veterans affairs heard from the Student Veterans of America about the economic and social benefits of, and pressing need for, a revitalized G.I. Bill. We resolved to call for a G.I. Bill for the 21st Century.
This new G.I. Bill must provide full educational benefits that include full tuition and fees, books, and housing paid at any public or private institution of higher learning and it is encouraging to hear Congress is likely to include the Webb G.I. Bill in the War Supplemental.
Of course, there are those with concerns. We hear that military retention might suffer because of better educational benefits for our veterans. But even if those predictions are right, the $5 billion average estimated cost per year to educate our newest greatest generation is equivalent to only about two weeks of paying for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And investing in our veterans today is investing in America's future. After WWII, the G.I. Bill helped to build our nation's economic successes in the decades that followed. It stands to reason that this new G.I. Bill would do the same for those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Most importantly, enacting a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the right thing to do. Men and women from every walk of life serve in defense of our nation, and many do it for more than just the money. They risk their lives, their health, their physical, mental, social, and economic well-being for the rest of us. Passing a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the least we can do - we owe our newest greatest generation of veterans nothing less.
Find further information about the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) at www.WisVets.com or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (1-800-947-8387).
While the original G.I. Bill was allowed to erode since that time, Wisconsin has been among a handful of states that provide veterans educational assistance to make up for that lack of adequate federal G.I. Bill educational benefits. I'm proud that the Wisconsin G.I. Bill waives tuition and fees at any public college or university for Wisconsin veterans, and for the spouses and children of seriously disabled veterans and those killed in action or who die in the line of duty.
However, individual states' taxpayers and charitable donors should not have to make up the difference between the cost of an education and the amount of federal G.I. Bill benefits provided to our newest greatest generation.
In February, my fellow state directors of veterans affairs heard from the Student Veterans of America about the economic and social benefits of, and pressing need for, a revitalized G.I. Bill. We resolved to call for a G.I. Bill for the 21st Century.
This new G.I. Bill must provide full educational benefits that include full tuition and fees, books, and housing paid at any public or private institution of higher learning and it is encouraging to hear Congress is likely to include the Webb G.I. Bill in the War Supplemental.
Of course, there are those with concerns. We hear that military retention might suffer because of better educational benefits for our veterans. But even if those predictions are right, the $5 billion average estimated cost per year to educate our newest greatest generation is equivalent to only about two weeks of paying for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And investing in our veterans today is investing in America's future. After WWII, the G.I. Bill helped to build our nation's economic successes in the decades that followed. It stands to reason that this new G.I. Bill would do the same for those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Most importantly, enacting a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the right thing to do. Men and women from every walk of life serve in defense of our nation, and many do it for more than just the money. They risk their lives, their health, their physical, mental, social, and economic well-being for the rest of us. Passing a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the least we can do - we owe our newest greatest generation of veterans nothing less.
Find further information about the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) at www.WisVets.com or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (1-800-947-8387).
