Editor:
For the last several years, the front lawns of conservatives were decorated with signs, saying "I support the troops" on occasion, a returning veteran was greeted with a proffered handshake and a recital of "thank you for your service."
However, last month, a bill titled "Veterans Jobs Corp Act of 2012," a bill to provide for training and job placement of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, was defeated in the U.S. Senate by the Republican Senators.
The history of our country's response to the needs of its war veterans has swung widely: from the use of the Army, ordered by President Hoover in 1932 , to expel World War I veterans demonstrating for an early bonus payment, tanks and cavalry chasing veterans down Pennsylvania Avenue; to a more reasonable response to veteran's needs, in 1945 providing a generous GI education bill, unemployment benefits, loan assistance, and veterans preference in employment opportunities.
At the close of the Korean war, we veterans returned, virtually unnoticed, and under PL 550, utilized our watered down educational benefits to take our place in civilian life.
After Vietnam, our under appreciated and abused veterans, quietly melted back into our society, some utilized the then offered educational benefits.
Now, it appears that the conservative elements of our society, feeling that the lawn signs and handshakes were enough, are indifferent to veterans needs. Times are tough; we have other issues to pursue. Suck it up and - oh yeah - thank you for your service.
Randy Ludacer
Lake Placid
Friday, October 05, 2012 - www.newssun.com/ltr-100512-ludacer