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Topic: Don't cheat our soldiers-
Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 04:57 AM
BIDEN to PRESIDENT: 'Don't Cheat Our Soldiers Out of Their Education Benefits' October 19, 2007 BIDEN: ‘They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them.' BIDEN: ‘There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits.' Washington, DC - Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) sent a letter to President Bush urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the policies surrounding deployment times for our National Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recent reports have indicated that National Reserve and Guard units have been denied education benefits because they were one or two days short of their service requirements. Responding to these reports, Sen. Biden called on the President to provide the full benefits due to soldiers who have honorably served this nation. The full text of the letter follows. October 18, 2007 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I urge you to conduct a thorough review of the policies and practices surrounding deployment times for our Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have heard anecdotal accounts and seen press reports that many Reserve and Guard units are sent home from Iraq and Afghanistan just as their service times would make them eligible for education benefits. If this was done intentionally, it is outrageous. If it was accidental, it must be fixed. Our citizen-soldiers take on service to this nation while also holding down civilian jobs. There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits. Most recently, units based in Iowa and Minnesota have confronted this problem. According to press reports, even though all served the required 20 consecutive months on active duty, large portions of these units were a day or two short of the 730 days requirement due to their specific deployment orders. The Iowa National Guard's 133rd Battalion spent almost two years in Iraq - making them the longest serving Guard unit in the United States since World War II. The members of the "Ironman Battalion" served honorably during their time in Iraq, but over 500 of them were told they are not eligible for full G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders were for 725 to 729 days, just short of the 730 days required. The 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division based in Minnesota was deployed in Iraq 30 days longer than any other unit serving in Iraq at the time. Unfortunately, over half of the members of the "Red Bulls" were told they did not qualify for G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders only had them on duty for 729 days - one day shy of the minimum needed to qualify for the benefits. These soldiers - fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters - are heroes by any standard and should be treated as nothing less. Instead, if these reports are true, they are being cheated of benefits by either a disturbing lack of attention to detail by those handling the deployment orders or by an even more disturbing effort to intentionally disqualify them. In addition, they must now individually struggle with the bureaucracy at the Army Board of Corrections of Military Records, as the Board insists on reviewing each case individually rather than the unit as a whole. This is particularly problematic for those soldiers in school who may not be able to make use of their benefits if the claims process takes too long. When these men and women stepped-up to serve our nation in its time of need, they expected to be treated fairly. They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them. I strongly urge you to expedite the processing of their claims, and to rectify this situation with the utmost haste. Respectfully, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. United States Senator

Starhawk Joined Mon 01/07/08 Posts: 2164	Fri 09/12/08 05:06 AM
To early in the AM for politics. 53 more days of this..

markc48 Joined Wed 05/07/08 Posts: 5536	Fri 09/12/08 05:06 AM
I whole heartily agree.

madisonman Joined Sun 12/23/07 Posts: 4573	Fri 09/12/08 05:17 AM Edited by madisonman on Fri 09/12/08 05:34 AM
BIDEN to PRESIDENT: 'Don't Cheat Our Soldiers Out of Their Education Benefits' October 19, 2007 BIDEN: ‘They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them.' BIDEN: ‘There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits.' Washington, DC - Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) sent a letter to President Bush urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the policies surrounding deployment times for our National Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recent reports have indicated that National Reserve and Guard units have been denied education benefits because they were one or two days short of their service requirements. Responding to these reports, Sen. Biden called on the President to provide the full benefits due to soldiers who have honorably served this nation. The full text of the letter follows. October 18, 2007 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I urge you to conduct a thorough review of the policies and practices surrounding deployment times for our Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have heard anecdotal accounts and seen press reports that many Reserve and Guard units are sent home from Iraq and Afghanistan just as their service times would make them eligible for education benefits. If this was done intentionally, it is outrageous. If it was accidental, it must be fixed. Our citizen-soldiers take on service to this nation while also holding down civilian jobs. There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits. Most recently, units based in Iowa and Minnesota have confronted this problem. According to press reports, even though all served the required 20 consecutive months on active duty, large portions of these units were a day or two short of the 730 days requirement due to their specific deployment orders. The Iowa National Guard's 133rd Battalion spent almost two years in Iraq - making them the longest serving Guard unit in the United States since World War II. The members of the "Ironman Battalion" served honorably during their time in Iraq, but over 500 of them were told they are not eligible for full G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders were for 725 to 729 days, just short of the 730 days required. The 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division based in Minnesota was deployed in Iraq 30 days longer than any other unit serving in Iraq at the time. Unfortunately, over half of the members of the "Red Bulls" were told they did not qualify for G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders only had them on duty for 729 days - one day shy of the minimum needed to qualify for the benefits. These soldiers - fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters - are heroes by any standard and should be treated as nothing less. Instead, if these reports are true, they are being cheated of benefits by either a disturbing lack of attention to detail by those handling the deployment orders or by an even more disturbing effort to intentionally disqualify them. In addition, they must now individually struggle with the bureaucracy at the Army Board of Corrections of Military Records, as the Board insists on reviewing each case individually rather than the unit as a whole. This is particularly problematic for those soldiers in school who may not be able to make use of their benefits if the claims process takes too long. When these men and women stepped-up to serve our nation in its time of need, they expected to be treated fairly. They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them. I strongly urge you to expedite the processing of their claims, and to rectify this situation with the utmost haste. Respectfully, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. United States Senator Thank you Mr Biden for supporting the troops in the real world. We have grown so weary of all this right wing" support the troops" garbage and then see the republicans slash their benefits and subject them to stop loss deployments even after their time in the military is up.

quiet_2008 Joined Sat 08/30/08 Posts: 11138	Fri 09/12/08 05:19 AM
To early in the AM for politics. 53 more days of this.. some people, if you take away their rabid hysterical anti neocon/anti progressive hate, got nothin

Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 05:32 AM
BIDEN to PRESIDENT: 'Don't Cheat Our Soldiers Out of Their Education Benefits' October 19, 2007 BIDEN: ‘They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them.' BIDEN: ‘There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits.' Washington, DC - Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) sent a letter to President Bush urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the policies surrounding deployment times for our National Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recent reports have indicated that National Reserve and Guard units have been denied education benefits because they were one or two days short of their service requirements. Responding to these reports, Sen. Biden called on the President to provide the full benefits due to soldiers who have honorably served this nation. The full text of the letter follows. October 18, 2007 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I urge you to conduct a thorough review of the policies and practices surrounding deployment times for our Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have heard anecdotal accounts and seen press reports that many Reserve and Guard units are sent home from Iraq and Afghanistan just as their service times would make them eligible for education benefits. If this was done intentionally, it is outrageous. If it was accidental, it must be fixed. Our citizen-soldiers take on service to this nation while also holding down civilian jobs. There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits. Most recently, units based in Iowa and Minnesota have confronted this problem. According to press reports, even though all served the required 20 consecutive months on active duty, large portions of these units were a day or two short of the 730 days requirement due to their specific deployment orders. The Iowa National Guard's 133rd Battalion spent almost two years in Iraq - making them the longest serving Guard unit in the United States since World War II. The members of the "Ironman Battalion" served honorably during their time in Iraq, but over 500 of them were told they are not eligible for full G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders were for 725 to 729 days, just short of the 730 days required. The 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division based in Minnesota was deployed in Iraq 30 days longer than any other unit serving in Iraq at the time. Unfortunately, over half of the members of the "Red Bulls" were told they did not qualify for G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders only had them on duty for 729 days - one day shy of the minimum needed to qualify for the benefits. These soldiers - fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters - are heroes by any standard and should be treated as nothing less. Instead, if these reports are true, they are being cheated of benefits by either a disturbing lack of attention to detail by those handling the deployment orders or by an even more disturbing effort to intentionally disqualify them. In addition, they must now individually struggle with the bureaucracy at the Army Board of Corrections of Military Records, as the Board insists on reviewing each case individually rather than the unit as a whole. This is particularly problematic for those soldiers in school who may not be able to make use of their benefits if the claims process takes too long. When these men and women stepped-up to serve our nation in its time of need, they expected to be treated fairly. They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them. I strongly urge you to expedite the processing of their claims, and to rectify this situation with the utmost haste. Respectfully, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. United States Senator Thank you Mr Biden for supporting the troops in the real world. We have grown so weary of all this right wing" support the troops" garbage and then see the republicans slash their benefits and subject them to stop loss deployments even after there time in the military is up. I Biden- who can say anything bad about him? That is really something when someone has a negative word against someone obviously working hard for us. Who else does that?

Mrtap Joined Thu 03/27/08 Posts: 1737	Fri 09/12/08 05:35 AM
BIDEN to PRESIDENT: 'Don't Cheat Our Soldiers Out of Their Education Benefits' October 19, 2007 BIDEN: ‘They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them.' BIDEN: ‘There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits.' Washington, DC - Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) sent a letter to President Bush urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the policies surrounding deployment times for our National Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recent reports have indicated that National Reserve and Guard units have been denied education benefits because they were one or two days short of their service requirements. Responding to these reports, Sen. Biden called on the President to provide the full benefits due to soldiers who have honorably served this nation. The full text of the letter follows. October 18, 2007 The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I urge you to conduct a thorough review of the policies and practices surrounding deployment times for our Reserve and Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have heard anecdotal accounts and seen press reports that many Reserve and Guard units are sent home from Iraq and Afghanistan just as their service times would make them eligible for education benefits. If this was done intentionally, it is outrageous. If it was accidental, it must be fixed. Our citizen-soldiers take on service to this nation while also holding down civilian jobs. There is no excuse for playing games with their hard-earned benefits. Most recently, units based in Iowa and Minnesota have confronted this problem. According to press reports, even though all served the required 20 consecutive months on active duty, large portions of these units were a day or two short of the 730 days requirement due to their specific deployment orders. The Iowa National Guard's 133rd Battalion spent almost two years in Iraq - making them the longest serving Guard unit in the United States since World War II. The members of the "Ironman Battalion" served honorably during their time in Iraq, but over 500 of them were told they are not eligible for full G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders were for 725 to 729 days, just short of the 730 days required. The 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division based in Minnesota was deployed in Iraq 30 days longer than any other unit serving in Iraq at the time. Unfortunately, over half of the members of the "Red Bulls" were told they did not qualify for G.I. Bill educational benefits because their orders only had them on duty for 729 days - one day shy of the minimum needed to qualify for the benefits. These soldiers - fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters - are heroes by any standard and should be treated as nothing less. Instead, if these reports are true, they are being cheated of benefits by either a disturbing lack of attention to detail by those handling the deployment orders or by an even more disturbing effort to intentionally disqualify them. In addition, they must now individually struggle with the bureaucracy at the Army Board of Corrections of Military Records, as the Board insists on reviewing each case individually rather than the unit as a whole. This is particularly problematic for those soldiers in school who may not be able to make use of their benefits if the claims process takes too long. When these men and women stepped-up to serve our nation in its time of need, they expected to be treated fairly. They kept their promise to us and we must keep our promises to them. I strongly urge you to expedite the processing of their claims, and to rectify this situation with the utmost haste. Respectfully, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. United States Senator Thank you Mr Biden for supporting the troops in the real world. We have grown so weary of all this right wing" support the troops" garbage and then see the republicans slash their benefits and subject them to stop loss deployments even after there time in the military is up. Sorry dude clinton started the slashing and downsizing and not money for new parts and supply he froze pay raises and advancements. When I got out I had ten yrs 75% of my shop got out 5 guys had more time in then me. It wasn't worth it. But if they called and said they needed me I will still serve. 85 to 95 US NAVY yes I was in the first gulf war.

Mrtap Joined Thu 03/27/08 Posts: 1737	Fri 09/12/08 05:36 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote.

singmesweet Joined Mon 07/28/08 Posts: 26661	Fri 09/12/08 05:42 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote. So, people can't say anything about the war if they haven't served?

Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 05:42 AM Edited by Cali66 on Fri 09/12/08 05:44 AM
This is current presidential news.. What is going on now. In case you didn't notice the post. Biden is fighting for the troops. You deny this? You're upset because Biden fights for our Troops? I don't follow your comment. I am not debating Clinton he is not President. I am not debating this, I am putting up factual information, you can read it and choose to be angry(?) or not, isn't going to change the facts.

Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 05:44 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote. You are making assumptions now aren't you?

singmesweet Joined Mon 07/28/08 Posts: 26661	Fri 09/12/08 05:45 AM
It doesn't surprise me. Someone is doing something to support the troops, but there will still be people complaining about it.

madisonman Joined Sun 12/23/07 Posts: 4573	Fri 09/12/08 05:47 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote. So, people can't say anything about the war if they haven't served? I served (boy was I a dumb kid)

Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 05:49 AM
It doesn't surprise me. Someone is doing something to support the troops, but there will still be people complaining about it. Apparently I put up the wrong 'side' for some people. But I am not taking sides, I am neither a registered dem or repub. I have made a decision based on educating myself and mounds of research. So, with that said- I will not conform to others needs through- strong arm tactics, I'm a free thinker.

Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 05:50 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote. So, people can't say anything about the war if they haven't served? I served (boy was I a dumb kid)

Mrtap Joined Thu 03/27/08 Posts: 1737	Fri 09/12/08 05:51 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote. So, people can't say anything about the war if they haven't served? I almost want to say yes, because unless u serve u dont really understand the military and their jobs. because alot of the press is wrong about alot of it. I am truely not allowed and have a very hard time if I saying anything about abusive cops who are still on the job even when have killed someone in the wrong, but are still allowed back on the steets. be which is alot lately trust me I know alot about and currently in a lawsuit. our military is getting a bad wrap. As long there are poeple there will always war somewhere. but we fight to keep that right of free speech, so your u have the right to say whatever.

singmesweet Joined Mon 07/28/08 Posts: 26661	Fri 09/12/08 05:52 AM
It doesn't surprise me. Someone is doing something to support the troops, but there will still be people complaining about it. Apparently I put up the wrong 'side' for some people. But I am not taking sides, I am neither a registered dem or repub. I have made a decision based on educating myself and mounds of research. So, with that said- I will not conform to others needs through- strong arm tactics, I'm a free thinker.

singmesweet Joined Mon 07/28/08 Posts: 26661	Fri 09/12/08 05:53 AM
It is funny I alot of people have alot to say about our troops and the war, but yet they have never even served and alot of them don't vote. So, people can't say anything about the war if they haven't served? I almost want to say yes, because unless u serve u dont really understand the military and their jobs. because alot of the press is wrong about alot of it. I am truely not allowed and have a very hard time if I saying anything about abusive cops who are still on the job even when have killed someone in the wrong, but are still allowed back on the steets. be which is alot lately trust me I know alot about and currently in a lawsuit. our military is getting a bad wrap. As long there are poeple there will always war somewhere. but we fight to keep that right of free speech, so your u have the right to say whatever. I don't think anyone is saying anything bad about the military right now, in this thread.

Cali66 Joined Fri 06/22/07 Posts: 1555	Fri 09/12/08 05:56 AM
It doesn't surprise me. Someone is doing something to support the troops, but there will still be people complaining about it. Apparently I put up the wrong 'side' for some people. But I am not taking sides, I am neither a registered dem or repub. I have made a decision based on educating myself and mounds of research. So, with that said- I will not conform to others needs through- strong arm tactics, I'm a free thinker.

Mrtap Joined Thu 03/27/08 Posts: 1737	Fri 09/12/08 05:58 AM
This is current presidential news.. What is going on now. In case you didn't notice the post. Biden is fighting for the troops. You deny this? You're upset because Biden fights for our Troops? I don't follow your comment. I am not debating Clinton he is not President. I am not debating this, I am putting up factual information, you can read it and choose to be angry(?) or not, isn't going to change the facts. yes i keep up on the news. I am a indep. I did like Edwards. Alot of poeple complain about issues but dont try to do anything about them. I go to our town meetings and keep up on the news but read and watch all media then choose the facts from them all.