On the Brink of History

After a resounding vote in favor of the new GI Bill in the Senate last night, and the president making assurances that he will sign the bill, IAVA HQ is waiting with baited breath for a victory celebration. I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the responses we've been getting from veterans around the country.

"This new GI Bill sounds amazing!"

-Marine Corps Corporal

"I'm currently on active duty or I'd be there [celebrating]! I've been following your work since my first deployment four years ago. Thanks to you and IAVA my troops have the GI Bill. Thanks for all your hard work! Keep it up!"
-Sergeant stationed in Iraq

"WOW! What a great moment! Thanks for all your hard work for IAVA and for Veterans."
-OIF and OEF veteran

"I am currently deployed, and I heard about this GI bill and I am thrilled just thrilled...Thanks again for this bill!"
-Deployed Soldier

"I am glad that your organization fought to have this GI Bill new law passed to our soldiers. This will make my life completely different now... God Bless You All!"
-OIF Veteran

From Iraq, Afghanistan and across the United States, emails like these continue to roll in. For those of us who have been deep in the GI Bill fight, it is a wonderful thing to get to hear from some of the 1.7 million people who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and are eligible for this benefit.

While there is still one hurdle left to clear, the finish line is in sight. Yesterday, Senator Webb held a celebratory press conference with lead co-sponsors Senators Hagel, Warner, and Lautenberg, strong supporters Senators Reid and Akaka, and Veterans Service Organizations, including IAVA, who have been championing this bill from the very beginning.

IAVA's own Patrick Campbell spoke at the press conference. Here's how he described the impact of the new GI Bill: "Everything is changed. Service members in the war zone and those who will follow them are now given hope. Their dreams are going to be bigger. Their opportunities are going to be bigger."

With the 92-6 victory in the Senate last night, the new GI Bill will now make its way to the president's desk for his signature. We're hoping it will be signed into law before the Fourth of July -- a fitting tribute, on the most patriotic of holidays, to the sacrifices and the service of our men and women in uniform.

For information on what this new GI Bill could mean for you, visit www.GIBill2008.org.

Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff

Comments

[Liberal2]

I guess I'm one of the few people against this bill. Not because I oppose college education for veterans, but because the US is among the few industrialized countries) (or maybe the only one) which does not provide free (yeah, yeah, I know, someone actually pays for it) college education for qualified high school graduates. The reason that the WWII GI Bill was a real success was that almost an entire generation of Americans qualified. Here we're only referring to a few thousand per year.

The bill in reality means a poor man or woman has to go through the meatgrinder of Iraq a couple of times to qualify. Who's in favor of that?

The economic boost fron universal university education would exceed the cost.

[GnitenGoodLk]

Paul, everything you do lessens this. Thank you soldier. Stay strong. I'm only one person, but I'm behind you 100%.

http://www.letterstosoldiers.org/soldier%20dries%20tears.jpg

[BARRISTER]

McCain OPPOSED this Bill. Let the World know this!!

[GnitenGoodLk]

Barrister,

On the war front you have soldiers, not Republicans or Democrats. This unity is breaking down. That's unconscionable. It is no wonder we're winning battles but losing wars, divided we fail and our military pay the biggest price. I support anyone who does their best to hold soldiers together through this onslaught.

McCain et al were not only against this bill, but created the deadly division happening on the ground. But does the world know Blue Dogs helped him? Open your eyes. Stop looking at the (D) or (R) and start looking at the record. If you want a united America again someday, we have to start by looking past the distortions and lies enough to stand together to make the changes we need. Weed out the bastards doing this to our military no matter what political affiliation.

Remember the surge? After years of the military stating the White House sent a fraction of what was needed to get the jobs done & all Hell broke loose over it, they "surged" to regain control of the situation.­Unbelievab­ly ugly. McCain lied about this. "I knew we didn't have enough boots on the ground" but he supported Rumsfeld in initially not sending them! He was for it before he was against it!

You're right. McCain needs to be exposed. We need massive pressure to change our nations management & course starting with REAL support for our military. McCain repeatedly failed that test. He was bought & paid for a long time

[RumiSouth]

John McCain has already decided to support it after he was against it.

[lobear00]

Better remember George Bush's "Pen" he uses for his "Signing Statements". George has a profound history of using it, once he gets what he wants.

[OhioJan]

What? ....Is it the RED or the GREEN crayon? You know, the one he uses in his "books" that he's going to donate to his presidential "library"... I hear his favorite is "Fun With Dick & Karl-a"!!!!!!!

[PKSSK]

Paul, I noticed that McCain is already taking credit for the bill, as mentioned here on this website. You may want to spread the truth to those individuals in the military and their families who have been wating for this bill to pass.

[esquire07]

A hearty reward for the misery carnage and death US troops lhave eft behind in Iraq. Good luck collecting on it after the "War" bankrupts the Nation.

Still angry with Moveon.org about calling Petreus out for the liar Bush lap dog he is ?

[unitron]

"Still angry with Moveon.org about calling Petreus out for the liar Bush lap dog he is ?"

How about being angry with them for letting Karl Rove write the headline?

By making a silly pun out of a name, they guaranteed that all the discussion would be about the headline and no one would actually bother to read or consider the actual text of the ad.

[kellygrrrl]

sure hope word gets back to all the military families --

Obama supported Bill

McCain skipped vote

[BassMonk]

Paul, You da man!!

Thank you from a Navy vet for all your hard work. I'm glad our active duty brothers and sisters have people like you back home standing up for them. Keep it up.

[westtexasboy]

Thank you, senators Webb and Hagel. At last a new G.I. bill. It will change the lives of tens of thousands of families. I know: I went to college on the G.I. bill after my Air Force dad died in the service of our country.

[rsottong]

Great work, Paul. You are an important advocate. Keep going, and let us know what we can do to support your work ...

[bleek]

Not so fast. We haven't seen the fine print (aka signing statement) yet. Before he's finished, the servicemen will only qualify if they put in six consecutive tours in Iraq and lost >= 1 1/2 limbs in the process.

[DarkWitch]

I'm so glad this bill went thru. They should have left the old GI bill we had during the Vietnam era and improved it. The people serving our country should have help reentering civilian life, with education, getting civilian jobs and buying a house. It's only fair. People who have not served in the military don't realize what a big transition it is to get out of the military after living a very structured and regimented lifestyle. Add to that the horrors of war, and it should be evident these vets could use a little help when they come home.

I hope also that there is more outreach and encouragement for vets to use the benefits and go to school. I know way too many people who could have used the old GI Bill but didn't.

[knighthowl]

I only disagree with one thing. The GI bill we had during Viet Nam sucked. This one is far better and well deserved - just as it would have been welcomed and deserved by us.

[coastalcarla]

It figures that "Wide Stance" Craig voted against it. I hope the people of his state run him out on a rail when he comes up for reelection. Along with the other five losers that voted against it. But it still remains to be seen whether the Chimp will sign it. He doesn't seem to care what anyone else wants - he just follows his "gut". Idiot.

[lwfky]

And now the most despicable President in the history of our country will veto this bill , with McCain's blessing, because it is "too generous".

[klmebane]

that too generous argument always bothered me. as a veteran who is currently using her gi bill, i know from personal experience that the old gi bill as it is can't keep up with the rising costs of education. i go to a community college, and the gi bill won't even pay for two years of school there. god forbid i want to get a masters degree. i can't imagine what someone who wants to go to a traditional 4 year college on the old gi bill will have to pay out of pocket!

[PlanetKansas]

Though I'm all for a new GI bill, our troops certainly deserve it, I am concerned how it will be paid for.

More taxes or issue more debt?

It is one thing to create a very deserving and noble program but disingenous to not have the guts to actually pay for it instead of passing the debt down to future generations.

[TruthBeHeard]

It will initially cost some money but in the longer term, as they start graduating from college, the benefits will be huge. The WWII GI bill is what built the strong Middle Class for generations so the economics will be huge in a few years!

[SeriousBlack]

You referring to Operation Iraqi Freedom?