Veterans

We regard our Nation’s veterans precisely as our President does:

"Americans have long known that those who defended the great values of our Nation in wartime are of great value to the Nation when the war is over. It is traditional that the American veteran has been helped by his Nation so that he can create his own ’peace story’, a story of prosperity, independence and dignity.

"Veterans benefit programs have therefore become more than a recognition for services performed in the past; they have become an investment in the future of the veteran and of his country."

Under Republican leadership, far more for our veterans is being done than ever before:

G.I. Bill education benefits have been increased more than 35 per cent. Vietnam-era veterans have the highest assistance levels in history to help them pursue educational opportunities.

Major cost-of-living adjustments have been made in Compensation and pension payments.

Medical services are the best in the history of the Veterans Administration and now include a strong new drug treatment and rehabilitation program.

Disability benefits have been increased.

G.I. home loan benefits have been expanded and improved.

The total Administration commitment is massive—$12.4 billion for this fiscal year. This is the largest Veterans Administration budget in history, and the third largest of all Federal agencies and departments.

We are giving the highest priority to the employment problems of Vietnam veterans. In 1971 we initiated a comprehensive program which recently placed more than one million Vietnam-era veterans in jobs, training and education programs. For the future, we pledge:

Continuation of the Veterans Administration as a strong, independent agency;

Continuation of an independent system of Veterans Administration health care facilities to provide America’s veterans with the best medical care available, including appropriate attention to the problems of the ex-serviceman afflicted with drug and alcohol problems;

Continuing attention to the needs of the Vietnam-era veteran, with special emphasis on employment opportunities, education and housing.

Continuation of our efforts to raise GI Bill education benefits to a level commensurate with post-World War II benefits in adjusted dollars;

Continued effort for a better coordinated national policy on cemeteries and burial benefits for veterans.

We will not fail our obligation to the Nation’s 29 million veterans and will stand ever watchful of their needs and rights.