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DAV Pits Vets Against Vets

By VVAW

A lot is being said about the various attacks coming down on the GI Bill for all veterans today. And the finger has been correctly pointed at the people responsible. That includes past Congressman who merely legislate for their bosses, the US rich. However, not enough has been said about another of the devices that same class uses to keep veterans disorganized, mainly by pitting them against each other.

Through the use of veterans organizations like the American Legion and the VFW, the ruling class is able to continually put out their lines on domestic, foreign and economic policies and try to convince the people that they speak for vets. These two organizations, when ordered to jump out there and fight against an extension in educational benefits for vets did so quietly by lobbying against such an extension in Congress but maintaining an "appearance" in public of fighting for all vets. Another vet organization, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has not been so subtle in their methods.

The national commander of the DAV, Lyle Pearson, recently said in a special report published in the August issue of the DAV Magazine, and referring to the DAV's opposition to an extension of the GI Bill benefits, "The National Executive Committee took this stand because we feel the extensions outline in various legislative proposals--at a cost hovering around $600 million--would devour funds needed to higher priority programs." Clearly, Mr. Pearson was stating that the needs of one group of veterans are more important than another and some veterans would have to do without. Mr. Pearson further stated, "Today's economic problems, coupled with Federal budget restraints, have created an atmosphere of stiff competition for Federal dollars among various programs of the VA. And any extension would almost necessarily cut into those designed to assist disabled veterans."

Mr. Pearson is no babe in the woods. He knows exactly what he is saying and whose interest he's working in. We in VVAW say it's certainly not in the interest of vets, those in his organization or vets in general. He knows damn well where the money that runs this country cones from and probably who the wealthy few are that control the riches. Those same people got rich by exploiting people the world over and using us, the veterans, to enforce their rule. After many of us returned home we got little or nothing as our rewards.

No one will deny that disabled vets need special treatment, that they're not getting enough, nor will they ever unless they fight for it. In the same respect VVAW knows that all vets disabled, wartime of peacetime will never reach a decent standard of living unless all vets from all eras unite to fight for what we need. Why should we be reduced to fighting each other over a few scraps for what we have to have when the people who are controlling the wealth couldn't give a damn if we live or die.

In Mr. Pearson article he quotes Ray Roberts, Chairman of the House Vets Committee, who states, "The principle support for this bill (meaning an extension of benefits) comes from a group of federally funded college employees rather than from veterans and veterans groups. These people are simply trying to protect their jobs and federal income for the institutions they work for."

Well, listen to this, and listen damn close, buddy! We're veterans. We go to school on that shrinking GI Bill. Many of us haven't got decent jobs or any jobs at all. We ain't got no federal funding. Some of us work in crummy factory and would like to go to school at night--no matter what era we're from. We can see right through the crap you're slinging at us. We're not going to be reduced to fighting other vets for what we need. We'll get what we need from the people you work for, the rich who line your pockets.

VVAW calls on all veterans of all ears and of all organizations to unite with us in this fight for what we need to stop being used against each other. We need decent benefits but not at the expense of our brothers and sisters. "Decent Benefits for All Veterans."