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published: Friday, October 05, 2012

Handshake, yard signs are not enough

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

This opinion letter is not true (by: W - 10/7/2012)

Read for yourself the actions of this bill. Note: bill withdrawn by unanimous consent. Democrats in senate are majority this term. Investigate this for yourselves just type in your computer search area: Veterans Jobs Corp Act of 2012.
Don't believe any opinion letter - ck out the facts for yourselves.
Actions:
Sep 19 2012
Considered by Senate.
Sep 19 2012
Cloture motion on the bill withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.
Sep 19 2012
Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 476.
Sep 12 2012
Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
Sep 12 2012
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 8. Record Vote Number: 192.
Sep 12 2012
Measure laid before Senate by motion.
Sep 12 2012
Cloture motion on amendment SA 2789 presented in Senate.
Sep 12 2012
Motion by Senator Reid to commit to Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs with instructions to report back forthwith with amendment SA 2812 made in Senate.
Sep 12 2012
Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: S6259-6260)
Sep 11 2012
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 1. Record Vote Number: 191. (consideration: CR S6083; text: S6083)
Aug 02 2012
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate.
Aug 02 2012
Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate.
Aug 01 2012
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.
Jul 30 2012
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Unknown Date
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.