The American Legion and the GI Bill

The American Legion etched a permanent place in history in 1944. That year, Legionnaires ushered into law the Servicemens Readjustment Act better known as the GI Bill. Since then, millions of veterans have received free or discounted higher education benefits. So effective was the GI Bill, it is often credited for spurring more than 50 years of economic prosperity across the nation.

As the decades unfolded, however, the benefit fell out of pace with the changing times. The GI Bill was no longer covering fast-rising tuition costs. In some communities, it barely covered transportation cost to and from campus. National Guard and Reserve veterans were not receiving the same GI Bill benefits as those whod served in the active-duty branches, regardless of their combat experiences in places
like Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 25 years removed from its last major overhaul, it was no longer your grandfathers GI Bill.

EVERYTHING CHANGED LAST SUMMER.

The American Legion and Congress had worked together for more than three years to overhaul the federal veterans education benefits package, including elimination of a $1,200 buy-in for service personnel and extending the time span a veteran has to use the benefit after discharge.

The Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act was signed into law on June 30, 2008, and was scheduled for implementation in Aug. 1, 2009. Four different education programs will soon exist: the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill/Selected Reserve and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP).

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• post 9/11 GI Bill
• Jim Webb
• The American Legion
• military
• veterans
• military education

[denver4und]

The process can be hard. My law firm helps vets & spouses apply for the aid & attendance pension which is the ONLY VA pension we handle. The A&A pension is designed to cover in-home care, nursing home or assisted living care. Call us if you are having problems or want information. No charge for telephone consultation. Jim Underhill, Underhill Law Firm 800-465-1266. We never charge Vets or spouses anything for filing. We are VA Accredited. Jim Underhill (MAJ,USARRet.)WE DO NOT ENDORSE ANY VIDEO.

[FreedomHooter]

The post 911 Veterans Education Assisance

[GeneF16]

The American Legion is also the largest single contributor to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The American Legion is still serving America with great programs like Boys State, American Legion Baseball, Junior Shooters, National Oratorical Contest and many more. The Legion has helped countless veterans, widows and orphans. Why would you not belong to The American Legion?

Gene McVay, Arkansas Department

[endymion616]

Great intro to how the American Legion created the first GI Bill back in 1944. And how the Legion continues to fight for veterans benefits.