News & Features
November 2005

Bill welcomes veterans with greater benefits
By Sen. Stephen M. Brewer

There is a famous painting by Norman Rockwell depicting a veteran in uniform who has returned home, sitting next to his mother while they are peeling potatoes in preparation for a festive holiday gathering. The proud smile in admiration for her beloved son is evident on the mother’s face.

Since October 2001, approximately 18,000 Massachusetts residents have returned home from active duty, having heroically and nobly served our great nation. The National Guard and our reserves are carrying an ever-increasing share of the War on Terror. These individuals are oftentimes also the principal wage earners and subsequently their families must make extraordinary sacrifices both emotionally and financially when their loved ones serve this great nation. We owe all of these individuals and their families an enormous debt of gratitude and we, as the Commonwealth, should step forward to assist them during their service and upon their return home.

The “Welcome Home” bill that is sponsored by the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, chaired by Rep. Anthony J. Verga (D-Gloucester) and myself, is an important step toward this end. The support for this legislation has been overwhelming, as evidenced by the scores of legislators who have co-sponsored this bill. This comprehensive bill would:

• Increase the death benefit for families of deceased Massachusetts National Guard members from $5,000 to $100,000;
• Provide tuition and fee waivers for veterans and Massachusetts National Guard members at state and community colleges, thereby guaranteeing a true 100 percent education benefit;
• Establish The Military Family Relief Fund for members of the Massachusetts National Guard, Armed Forces and Reserves;
• Provide a $1,000 bonus for those who were called up to active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001;
• Create Operation Recognition, which awards high school diplomas to World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans;
• Increase annual annuity payment for blind, paraplegic and disabled veterans to $2,000;
• Increase annual annuity payment for Gold Star Mothers (parents) to $2,000;
• Provide Gold Star Wives (spouses) with $2,000 annuity payment;
• Allow Massachusetts public employees who are members of a neighboring state’s National Guard unit to apply their creditable service toward pension credits;
• Increase daily pay for Massachusetts National Guard members from $75 to $100;
• Provide all members of the Massachusetts National Guard with SGLI (federal government) life insurance policies with values worth up to $400,000; and
• Expand the definition of a World War II veteran, making the Massachusetts definition consistent with the federal definition.

At the public hearing held on Oct. 11, 2005, Gov. Mitt Romney, the bill’s first testifier, along with Secretary of Veterans’ Services Thomas Kelly and the Adjutant General of the National Guard Brigadeer Gen. Oliver J. Mason, expressed their wholehearted support for the passage of this legislation.

At the present time, Massachusetts has lost 41 lives to the War on Terrorism, and it is evidenced by the eternal pain of the Gold Star mothers and wives. We must ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten. Yes, we acknowledge these efforts on Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, but it is every day that these gallant heroes need to be honored. We know we are as proud today of these young men and women as the mother in the famous Norman Rockwell painting was of her brave son so many years ago.

Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) is a Massachusetts state senator serving Brookfield.