Vets’ groups push for better GI Bill

[unhappycamper]

Vets’ groups push for better GI Bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 15, 2008 6:56:34 EDT

Two groups of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans have launched efforts to persuade more members of Congress to endorse a major increase in GI Bill benefits.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which claims about 85,000 members, is running full-page newspaper advertisements to get support for S 22, the 21st Century GI Bill, which would raise education benefits to fully cover the cost of tuition and fees at a four-year public college, plus pay a monthly stipend.

IAVA officials said the ads are targeted at five key lawmakers: Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Reps. Norman Dicks, D-Wash.; Jerry Lewis, R-Calif.; John Murtha, D-Penn.; and David Obey, D-Ohio.

The four representatives are all members of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal spending.

Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA executive director, said the current GI Bill, with a maximum monthly benefit of $1,101, is “just a fraction” of the original post-World War II benefit that fully paid for college.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/military_gibill_improvements_041408w/

[old mark]

1. About time....

The gov must put some money where it's mouth is.
I served in the Army 1968-1971, and remember being very angry at the pittance we got from our version of the GI Bill. Nixon even cut the burial stipend, IIRC.
Something realistic, usable and user-friendly,not a typical Federal program.
Good luck.

mark