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State Representative Bob Dettmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4124
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
RED BULLS FINALLY GET GI BILL BENEFITS THEY EARNED
By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A
Last month I wrote about our brave men and women, who had returned from serving our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom, being denied the full Montgomery GI Bill benefits. Nearly half of the 2,600 Minnesota soldiers were having problems in receiving the educational benefits they deserve. I am proud to report this problem is being dealt with.
Recently, Capt. Allan Hetteen, education officer for the Minnesota National Guard, announced during a conference call with the press the soldiers who applied to have their eligibility adjusted to receive the education benefits. Capt. Hetteen stated 616 adjustment requests have been approved out of the 930 people who have applied. There are 1,162 soldiers who were affected by this problem.
This problem was taken care of on the military level, within the Pentagon, and special legislation was not needed. However, I believe there should be legislation authored to make sure this problem is not seen in the future. I would like to see all military men and women enlisted in the reserves of every branch of military be eligible for full GI Bill benefits if they serve in a war zone. During a war our country relies on our military men and women without regard to their reserve or active duty status. All soldiers who serve in a war zone deserve the same benefits. This is an issue on the federal level so I cannot introduce such legislation, but I would like to see our Minnesota delegation do so.
During this month filled with great holidays such as Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day we have much to be thankful for, especially to our veterans. I was proud to be a speaker at Century Junior High on Veterans Day to talk with the students about what it means to be a veteran. I also reminded them of the great sacrifices these men and women make for us to protect our freedom. I encouraged the students, as I would like to encourage each and every one of you, to say thank you to our veterans, just as Forest Lake American Legion Post #225 did on Veterans Day at Century Junior High by providing the color guard for the great ceremony. It is small things like this which mean a lot to our veterans.
I would also like to thank Senator Norm Coleman, Congressman John Kline, and Congresswoman Michelle Bachman for their help in seeing this issue resolved. I personally spoke with each on them on this during a trip to Washington D.C. in September. I know they were watching this issue as closely as I was to make sure our brave Minnesotans received the benefits they deserved. I would also like to thank our veterans, once again, for their brave duty and sacrifice for us and for our country.
News Items
- LIMITED SPENDING AND COMPETITVE TAXES GROW OUR ECONOMY - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:29PM)
- BOB DETTMER SWORN IN TO FOURTH TERM AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:28PM)
- April 5 Legislative Update - (Posted: 2012-04-05 00:00:00)
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