Norwich Bulletin Editorial: U.S. soldiers should receive adequate care

May 12, 2007 - With the debate raging about how to handle the war in Iraq, a very important issue is being lost. How do we handle the growing number of war veterans this country is creating?

The United States is already woeful in its treatment of veterans, with sub-standard health care and broken promises of other benefits. This country, in good conscience, cannot continue to send men and women to war without a plan to honor their service when they return. Even those who return without physical wounds often have other battles they must face once home. In some cases, the emotional wounds can be long-lasting and devastating. There are financial strains and marital challenges. And, there is a disproportionate number of homeless who are veterans.

The Connecticut congressional delegation has been sporadically active on the issue. U.S Sens. Chris Dodd and Joseph Lieberman have been addressing housing and health-care issues for veterans. Dodd is also calling for a change in a Veterans Affairs policy providing grave markers.

U.S Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, has been more active on a variety of veterans' issues, including pushing for more funding for the VA and creating a pilot program to better transition soldiers from Armed Services to Veterans Affairs. Currently, many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are being lost in the shuffle.

Courtney has also been critical of Veterans Affairs. While he advocates for more funding for the department, he also is adamant much needs to be done to clean up the way it operates. He has chastised the department for giving bonuses totaling $3.8 million for the entire department.

We hope Courtney will keep up his push on the issue. Dodd should show some presidential foresight and tackle the veterans' situation. But, it is Lieberman who should be the loudest voice on this issue. He has been adamant the surge of troops in Iraq is necessary. It would the moral thing for Lieberman to start shouting about the rights and benefits we should be giving these troops when they return home.

Regardless of feelings about the war, it is time to stop paying lip service to honoring our military and show them real support by ensuring they have the assistance they need when they come home.