CITIZEN-TIMES.com
The way our country treats returning soldiers is a national shame
By SPECIAL TO CITIZEN-TIMES
Dec. 2, 2004
6:04 p.m.
Supporters of our invasion of Iraq cheerlead from their armchairs for the women and men of our military. Some folks send packages of goodies and letters to soldiers and sailors. Veterans for Peace stand on a street corner each week asking to bring our troops home. These are all examples of different ways we express our support for U.S. soldiers.
But what about support when they come back? While some historical references reflect an effort to support our soldiers upon their return from battle, our history of neglecting
soldiers also flourishes and seems to be getting worse.
For example, in 1693 Plymouth Colony offered support with an order that any disabled soldier injured while defending the colony would be maintained by the colony for life. And in 1780, the Continental Congress offered half pay for seven years to officers who served until the end of the war.
However, the Continental Congress also promised some soldiers land in exchange for their service. Looking at genealogy sites on the Internet, one can find desecendants of these soldiers still trying to collect on those unfulfilled promises.
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