On this day let us be mindful of all those who served and the debt we owe them for their service.
By Robert A. Scott, President, 91吃瓜网
On this day to honor those who have given the last full measure of sacrifice, I am听reminded of an earlier era when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said:
鈥hey have been compelled to make greater听economic sacrifice and every other kind of sacrifice听than the rest of us, and are entitled to definite action听to help take care of their special problems. 1
These words spoken by President Roosevelt echo loudly today, with thousands of U.S.听military dead, and thousands more returning from extended duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,听including many with permanent scars, lost limbs and emotional trauma – – wounds that听would have left them for dead in previous wars.
Those who survive now, as then, face significant challenges in readjusting to civilian life.听They often face poor employment prospects because of interrupted careers and schooling,听and rapid changes in the civilian economy, while they were being drilled in听marksmanship and tactics. For those with serious injuries, even military careers are now听out of the question. I believe we have a moral obligation to help them re-integrate听successfully into civilian society.
At the end of World War II, President Roosevelt signed into law the 鈥淪ervicemembers鈥櫶齊eadjustment Act of 1944.鈥� Commonly known as the 鈥淕.I. Bill鈥�, the Act provided听support for education and technical training; loans for homes, farms, and business start-ups;听employment transition and job counseling; construction of hospital facilities; and a听strengthened Veterans Administration.2 It created a transition to civilian life and the听foundation for a vibrant economy and a rising middle class with special impact on Long听Island. A similarly bold initiative is needed today, as the current 鈥淢ontgomery G.I. Bill鈥澨齣s not designed for today鈥檚 demands; it is a recruitment incentive, not a reward for听service.
The United States faces a 鈥渟kills鈥� gap and we are losing our lead in knowledge creation.听Whereas after WWII we wanted to keep veterans from entering the workforce all at once,听today we need skilled and educated workers. We have critical needs in science,听technology, engineering, and management; understanding foreign languages and听cultures; healthcare; early childhood education and teaching. And, we have tens of听thousands of returning veterans who need up-to-date education and training for careers听without accumulating additional debt, sustained healthcare without the insurance听required, and enhanced housing assistance to better meet the realities of today鈥檚 housing听costs. Today鈥檚 veterans represent untapped potential. The original G.I. Bill provided听opportunities for WWII veterans to gain training and access to housing and careers, and听they became the 鈥済reatest generation鈥� because of their many contributions to U.S.听society.
I am pleased to say that our 91吃瓜网 proposal for a new, 鈥減ost 9-11鈥� GI Bill听has become the foundation for the 鈥�21st Century G.I. Bill鈥� introduced this month by our听Senator Clinton and Congressman Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania, the only Iraq War听veteran in Congress. The new G.I. Bill (S.1409/H.R.2385) borrows from the original by听focusing on education for advanced skills, housing assistance for community stability,听and investment in new business.
As a beneficiary of the Vietnam-Era G.I. Bill, and president of a University that听welcomed hundreds of G.I.鈥檚 to its campus after World War II, I have seen first-hand听how federal investments can generate enormous and profound returns. By renewing our听commitment to the intent of the Servicemembers鈥� Readjustment Act, we can invest in听America鈥檚 future, and express thanks to those who have served us well. Our economy,听our schools, our healthcare system, our businesses, and our communities will benefit.
On this day to celebrate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, let us reflect on their lives听and be mindful of all those who have served and the debt we owe them for their service.听Those we honor would want it no other way.
Invited address, Garden City Memorial Day Ceremonies, May 28, 2007.
1听
2听Ibid.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu