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Attack on GI Bill Continues

By VVAW

In one the many attempts of the system to cut their essential social services, the Ford administration last spring began and all-out attack on the GI Bill. By presidential proclamation eliminated healthcare for non-service connected disabilities and education for survivors; and he proposed to eliminate the GI Bill for GIs enlisting after June 1, 1975.

This proposal met with initial heavy resistance from the defense department, much concerned with its ability to work with. Some members of Congress with the same concern joined in the resistance. As the struggle grew, vets organizations including VVAW and GIs spoke out against the cutback. Meanwhile, "traditional" including the leadership of the be VFW, a pack of fools with their hands in the pockets of the rich and the rich and working hand in hand with the VA, stood by him and nodded to the cutbacks when their streams were full.

To escape from public view, Congress retired behind closed doors; in early October, the House of Representatives voted to eliminate the bill pass further responsibilities to the Senate where it is still under consideration. This time, the proposal is to add the GI Bill for anyone who embraced after Dec 31, 1975.

Young people, forced to enlist in the military due to lack of jobs will be wholly removed from the job market for several years; their chances of finding a job on discharged our small. Add they will get no useful job training in the military. With the elimination of the GI Bill education, either while in the service or afterwards, will be out of financial reach work many vets.

Fighting that's GI Bill cutback is the same fight as the one for Decent Benefits. The GI Bill is not a privilege taking away at the whim and of the rich but a right that vets have and will continue to fight for.