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H.R. 4071, The Disabled Veterans Right to Commissaries and Space Available Travel Act
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Visitor Comments
Hector Rosario
I am 100% permanent disabled but I am ambulatory (I can walk). In fact the Social Security turned me down for disability (I can work!). They should consider each case, depending on doctor input. I should have this benefit.
Gerald Tyree
I am 100% and would like to see this bill passed for much needed use for the disabled vets and their dependent spouses. we did serve our country and go to war.
Some of us were able to come back from a far away land back to the USA, thankfully here.Hopeing this bill will pass.
BILLY THORNBURG
I am 50% permanent disable at this time. I sure I will get worse as time goes by from agent orange and dibetis w/insulin from veitnam. Anyway this bill will not cost much to pass compared to good it will do the vets in of a little help Thanks
Roxie Lisovsky
In a Military Medical Retention Board, once a determination of physical unfitness and eligibility for disability compensation is made, the Soldier's disability is rated using the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities, DoD Instruction 1332.39, and AR 635-40, Appendix B.
Any disability rating of 30% or higher qualifies a service member for Medical Retirement.
Those veterans who have a VA-determined Service Connected Disability rating of 30% or higher should have the same access to benefits and entitlements as their Medically Retired counterparts, as according to percentage scale.
Elio Amici
It's a win win situation not only for the veterans with a 30% or more disability but also for the economy also if passed.
VETSETTER
Wheras I generally support this resolution, I would rather see us direct our support towards HR 1477 or 2495. The commissary privileges are a no cost benefit whereas the Space A has an associated cost. The other bills are more likely to find full support than this one. The problem with all of these bills are that some veteran's groups do not feel that someone who is not 100% disabled or did not put in their 20 should be entitled (boo) and that the DOD is concerned about security in allowing so many civilians to go on base (BOO) Don't they realize that these are the same people who fought and sustained injury for their cause? WE MUST VOCALIZE THIS TO CONGRESS! Please write your representatives and congresspersons to let them know how important this is and to help change their minds about pushing this kind of legislation through!
KBS
Space A doesn't really have an associated cost.
Space A is seating that is on a scheduled military flight where seats are opened up to allow for Space A travel.
So, if it's a scheduled military flight in the first place, how does offering seats up for Space A travel cause the government or DoD an additional (or any cost) cost??????
Alex
I sure wish this legistration for space A travel will past. I am a disabled veteran. I always wanted to travel around the world on these MAC flights.
VETSETTER
KBS, the cost is associated with additional fuel, etc. An empty plane costs less to fly than a full one...for each $150 lb adult plus bags, you have to use that much more fuel in take off and flight. Don't get me wrong though, I am not against this bill, though I feel that HR 1477 and 2495 are more likely to gain support for this reason.
vet69271
this type of bill has been floating around in both the senaqte and the congress for many years now. last year congress mandated that dod and the va get together and tell congress why this bill shouldn't be passed (or should be passed (it was dropped into the military appropriations bill.) they were given until 1-07 to deliver this report to congress. as far as i can tell they never reported or got an extension. Who is running this country anyway?
RKepner
How do we find the contacts for the members of the subcommittee so that we can personally lobby them by telling our individual stories. I know it makes a big difference when they hear real stories.
VETSETTER
You can call the Staffers...they keep a tally of the calls and to what they were pertaining and/or can point you in teh right direction. You'd need to call the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel Staff line at (202) 225-7560.
Jerry
Google: House Subcommittee on Military Personnel for connections. I've written many Senators about HR:2495. My response is always "it's in the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel" like if it's ever gonna get dug out from under the bottom of the pile. Funny, when duty calls we "POP TALL", yet when there is something free proposed for the American Vet...Gov't drags their feet as usual. Who elects these idiots anyway? With all the new Vets out there now, perhaps more voices will be heard and someone will pass this on to the next step!
Jackie3
I would like for this bill to pass I'm 30% service connected It would myself and others as well. We all serived our country and I think this should me a right we need.
WDarrett
I'm rated with 30% service connected disabilities, and soon to go up. The hardship and the cost of living we’re facing today as well as the rising cost of food, gasoline, and other necessities, it’s only practical for this Bill to be passed at this critical time in our lives. We Veterans would greatly benefit from this bill being passed. The passing of this Bill will also help the Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fund. It is time to start looking deeply into helping us Veterans who have sacrificed so much, this really isn't asking for much - just a little help that will benefit and get us through. I bet if this was a Congress/Senator service connected Bill it would have passed with no problems long ago. Tells you what they really do think about us service-connected Veterans! Maybe we need to get the people of the United States involved to vote on this Bill since it seems it’s going no where in the Senate!
KBS
VETSETTER, was aircrew for 25 years in airlift, we rarely had that many Space A travelers on any mission to begin with, so to assume a massive influx of new travelers causing large increases in aircraft gross weight, therefore causing additional fuel consumption becuase of this legislation, would probably not be the case and is argueable at best.
Our airlifters spend countless flight hours each year on orietation flights for civilians, we can afford the fuel costs for that and not our service connected disabled veterans?????
Our service connected disabled veterans deserve every benefit we can afford them.
John Bannan
You never know how much good will can be generated by helping disabled veterans by giving them benefits like space A. Even though being disabled, if the chips are down, you might be surprised how much a disabled Veteran might be able to do for their Country if the desire is there, because of a loyalty extended to the Veteran by the Government.
RFEvans
I find it appaling that the Commissary benefit is not extended to all service connected disabled vets. As a permanent commissary employee, I cannot shop there, even with an 80% rating! Makes me sick to my stomach sometimes.
GWC
Is this bill dead - it is JUne "08 and I have nothing about this????
kstein94
From the FY09 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658)
"Disabled Veterans Access to Commissaries and Exchanges:
DOD is directed to study the feasibility of expanding the group of veterans allowed to shop at commissaries and exchanges to include those rated from 30% to 100% disabled."
Wild Bill
The funny thing about our esteemed officials (Yes, I use that term loosely) dragging thier feet on passing this, the bill for the PX and Commisary wouldn't cost any more money, it would actually GENERATE MORE INCOME for MWR!!!
VETSETTER
FY09 Natoinal Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658) report states that the SecDef must supply a report of consideration for Disabled Veterans Access to Commissaries and Exchanges by the end of March, 2009. Looks like this won't even be considered until next congress.
newvet
The commissary and PX should be able to all veterans. It's a shame that once you leave the military, they don't care. I hope they pass this bill.
Red Scorpion
It should be a right for Disabled vets to use the commissary, exchange, and space A travel. Why is this bill not a high priority? Let's take care of our veterans after their sacrifice and service to country.
Larry R
This bill clearly makes alot of sense. Given the sacrafices that we have made, more specifically when served our country and some of us took lost money by being in the Military. The Commissary issues is a no should be supported by all. It will only allow the Veteran to come to the commissary to spend money. What is the problem. As far as space available, you can be sure that you will not have a run on government flights.
Pass the Bill
W Goold
I am a disabled Vet, and also concidered disabled by Social Security as well, I gave away some good years of my life to the Gov, and with the so called great influx of cash they think they are giving my family of five, we strugle every month to make ends meet. I have had to fight with the VA for my rating and fight with SS admin for SDI, I gave my time to them freely. Give a Vet a break, do we have to fight for everything we get from the Government. Being able to get food from the Commissary won't break our Government It might actually make it look good for once in a LONG while. Cough it up it won't kill you.
Charlie
"Deserve" is a much overused word. You did not earn it. Seems like another one of those "gimme gimme" kinds of appeals.
don ledbetter
I served my country for almost 8 years and was forced out, even though I could do my job. My wife went back to Turkey where I had married her, If I would of had rights for air travel, she would still be here, and now my service connected disability is getting worse. I definitely fill I am entitled to benefits as my rating goes abouve 30 percent.
Charlie
You are afforded the VA benefits. If your service-connected condition is getting worse talk to the VA.
Do you actually believe the American people should subsidize everything else for you as well?
tetvet
Why hasn't this bill been passed? It will cost nothing to pass, and make life a little easier for those on VA disability pension!
Chris
If this bill passed, it would be a relief for those who are having a hard time making ends meet in this economy. For many, VA disability may be their only source of income, forcing them to live at or below the national standard. Any relief from monthly expenses (and taxes) would be helpful.
Charlie
Perhaps this bill has not passed because it is not a good idea.
Chris
If you think shopping at the BX and commissary would save a lot of money you need to ask someone who shops there on a regular basis. If there is any amount of driving required to get to a post or base you will find that what little savings there were are eaten up by the cost of gasoline.
Patrick
If you serve and receive 30% disability you should receive privilages why not. You put your time in and put your life on the line for this great country. If they let people come in and not pay taxes for five years why can't we take care of our own!!
tetvet
Anytime you can save a penny, it's worth it! The bill is a great idea! Charlie sounds like one of those fortunate ones that either "GOT" the chance to retire from the military,or one that never served! Millions of "Disabled" Vets never had the luxury to retire, but still gave some, and many gave all!
jrbug
Who the hell is charlie?
cr
The problem is that the House of Representatives, the Senate only work about 2 days per week if were lucky. So how can anything get done. I think Veterans rated at least 50% should be entitled to Commissary and Space A Travel. And if a Veteran is rated at 100% they should be receiving Disabiliy retirement from DOD as a concurrent payment from both VA and DOD. It is wrong when a Veteran has to fight for 7 years with a VA disability claim, and then have to hire a Military Law Attorney to get the records corrected to receive benefits.
river patrol 68 69
i am 100% i go to commissary sometimes,but you can buy some groceries and other items just as cheap at wally world (wal mart)after paying taxes gas on base is higher also.the bill on space available flights has been introduced to congress and senate about 9 years now ,so dont count on it getting passed
river patrol 68 69
jrbug if you have to ask who charlie is i know you have not been there.
BLACKSHEAR
IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR RETIRED RESERVE PERSONELL TO BE ABLE TO USE COMMISARIES AND BX AND OTHER MILITARY PRIVELAGES LIKE BUYING GAS ON BASE. WHEN SOME OF THEM HAVE NEVER FOUGHT IN A WAR AND THEY ONLY SERVED ONE WEEK-END A MONTH AND 2 WEEKS ONCE A YEAR ACTIVE DUTY FOR A TOTAL OF ONE MONTH A YEAR TO BE EXACT 38 DAYS PER YEAR.WHEN WE VIETNAM VETS. SERVED ON AN AVERAGE OF 365 DAYS PER YEAR AT AN AVERAGE OF 12 MONTHS PER YEAR.