Our nation’s military personnel deserve our full support. Whether in combat overseas or as honored, retired military, our Veterans must be treated with the respect they have earned during their service to America.

Rightfully, our nation has agreed to support our Veterans with retirement pay that they unquestionably deserve and disability pay, should it be required. Unfortunately, the President along with Republican lawmakers have said that if some Veterans receive both retirement and disability pay then the amount of disability pay will be deducted from their retirement pay.

For example, if a Veteran has earned $20,000 in retirement pay and receives $5,000 in disability, then $5,000 would be deducted from the retirement pay they earned - $20,000. As a result, that Veteran would only receive $20,000 – and not the $25,000 he or she should be entitled to.

It is important to note that some Veterans do not fall victim to this procedure. They receive what is known as concurrent receipt – everything they have earned, both retirement pay and disability pay, without adjustments. This is limited to those retired members of the military who received the Purple Heart or those who have a combat related disability of 60 percent or higher. While recognition of these individuals is important, the government should extend concurrent receipt to all military retirees who are injured as a result of their service to our country.

On July 8, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld wrote both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees explaining that he would recommend President Bush veto any bill containing concurrent receipt. The Department of Defense argues it would be too costly. But, President Bush recently asked Congress to provide an additional $87 billion to support our troops overseas. While the success of our troops must be supported, we also have a duty to care for those same soldiers – and their families – when they come home. I believe retired veterans deserve better than this.

I am also concerned our National Guard and Reserve forces are stretched too thin. I have spoken to many families about how difficult the past few years have been because spouses have been called up for multiple tours overseas. We must recognize that if our reserve components are going to be used more like active-duty soldiers, then reservists should receive benefits more in line with what our active duty soldiers receive. Their lives are worth no less and our commitment to their families should be equal.

No health insurance is available to Guard and Reserve forces. Tricare, the military health plan, is available to active duty-personnel, retirees and their dependents. Considering the frequency of reserve deployments, it is only fair our reserve forces have the same access to Tricare as our active duty soldiers, whether they are deployed or not.

Over the last several months, many Guardsmen have spoken to me through letters and meetings about how difficult it is to get affordable health insurance. One particular meeting put it into perspective perfectly; the National Guardsman said they aren’t looking for a handout, just recognition of the job they do to preserve our freedom.

Tricare should be extended to them and their families. We owe them. They deserve it.