Cold War Veterans Blog

Veterans Benefits Equality

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=3181&letter_id=4508545661

To:
President Barack Obama

January 12, 2010

Dear President Obama,





I am writing you today because I have a dream one day all veterans will be treated as equal. Today, to many peoples surprise they are not. Cold War era veterans. are currently treated unfairly by a arbitrary system of dates that are used for determining VA healthcare and pension eligibility. This system leads to a staggering number of inequities in determining who is and who is not eligible for certain VA benefits.



In 1961 President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order 10925, which created the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and mandated that projects financed with federal funds "take affirmative action" to ensure that hiring and employment practices free of racial bias. Ground breaking affirmative action program called first step that allowed minority students and workers have the same opportunities to receive a employment or education as everyone else. What I am asking today is that you reform the VA system so that veterans of all eras receive the same treatment by the VA when it comes to benefits free of bias .



Mr. President your administration has brought hope to the country that change is on the way. It is my sincere hope that can reform this inherently unfair system. We all took the same oath and no veteran is more or less worthy than any other. We all are veterans no matter when we served our country.



I will come to Washington with representatives from American Cold War Veterans anytime to discuss this matter and present some ideas for improving the VA benefits system. Please contact us we can help make this happen.



I have a dream Mr. President can you help make it come true.

Thank You.

Respectfully,

Sean P. Eagan

Public Affairs Director Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans

Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars

Jamestown , NY