By Congressman Bart Stupak

This Veterans Day, we come together as a nation to honor our brave servicemen and women. As we celebrate the 25 million veterans in America, we are also reminded that we have an opportunity to acknowledge the debt owed to them and their families by keeping our promises to provide the benefits they rightfully deserve.

I have been proud to recently introduce the Veterans Cold Weather Injury Compensation Act to allow Korean War veterans who sustained cold weather injuries from harsh conditions to receive compensation and health benefits. Most of the Korean War veterans who have shared their war memories have mentioned the bitter cold on the Korean peninsula as one of the enemies they had to face. These veterans’ injuries should be treated no differently than injuries from a bullet or mine.

I also co-sponsored the Disabled Veterans Fairness Act that seeks to provide more fair travel reimbursements for disabled veterans who travel to and from medical facilities. With gas prices in excess of $2.35 per gallon, it is a crime that our veterans are only receiving 11 cents per mile in reimbursements, a rate that has not been updated since 1977. This bill works to improve these benefits to bring them inline with the same standards our own federal employees are afforded.

While it is critical we value the service of all veterans, it is important that in 2005 we focus on the more than one million American soldiers who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In recognition of their service, my colleagues and I in Congress introduced the G.I. Bill of Rights for the 21^st Century to provide fair pay, educational opportunities and health care for veterans as well as their families while they are deployed.

The G.I. Bill for the 21^st Century will help those who have suffered a pay cut as they left civilian jobs at home in order to serve our country. It also protects those who are currently serving by providing a bonus to National Guard and Reservists who have served in eminent danger in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is important that we reward these Americans.

The new package would also enhance the G.I. Bill and job training programs while providing full cost of tuition and fees and a living allowance for 36 months of school for those who enlist for at least four years of active duty military service.

The G.I. Bill for the 21^st Century would also increase funding for Veterans Affairs health care by $3.2 billion to provide immediate health care for the 50,000 veterans waiting more than six months for health services. It would also keep prescription drug and enrollment fees affordable for the 2.2 millions veterans using Veterans Affairs health benefits.

In the past two and a half years, over 433,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists have been activated. The National Guard and Reserve make up about 50 percent of the troops serving in Iraq, some serving as many as three tours of duty. A Government Accounting Office report from 2003 shows that at least 20 percent of all Reservists called for active duty do not have health insurance for themselves or their families.

I was proud to support the TRICARE for Reservist provision offered this year in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow all Reservists the opportunity pay premiums for themselves and their families. This new plan would alleviate the health care crisis our soldiers and their families face when these veterans return from back to civilian life.

As many as 17 percent of servicemen and women return from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition is caused by the stress of the insurgents’ guerrilla tactics like the use of improvised explosive devices and suicide bombing missions. I was pleased to join bi-partisan Members of Congress in co-sponsoring the Comprehensive Assistance for Veterans Exposed to Traumatic Stressors Act to improve mental health services for returning troops and veterans. The bill also called upon Congressional leaders to hold hearings and further examine the issue.

Our armed forces embrace the pledge to leave no soldier behind.  We too should embrace the philosophy of leaving no veteran behind as they return home.  We should honor their service with a GI Bill of Rights worthy of our grateful nation and continue to fight for fair benefits for all veterans.

On Veterans Day, I offer my thanks and prayers to the members of our armed forces from past and present. I pledge to keep my promise to these Americans by working in Congress to improve the lives and well being of our veterans.

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