MAILBAG:

I read with interest Joseph Bell’s comments on the GI Bill (“GI bill should be supported,” June 5).

Veterans’ benefits have been debated by our government almost since its founding. The most notorious debate and confrontation was the “bonus” promised to the surviving veterans of WWI. In 1932 and continuing into 1933, the veterans of WWI finally marched on Washington, D.C., to seek their promised bonus. They were met with total hostility and contempt.

President Franklin Roosevelt even sent their own army to physically remove them with force. In charge of that fiasco was future Gen. Douglas MacArthur assisted by future President Dwight D. Eisenhower and future Gen. George S. Patton. Congress in 1933 finally approved the bonus to be paid in 1947.

World War II presented an even greater problem. There were almost five times as many American troops in WWII than in WWI. The lesson was learned that 17 million veterans were to be returning home and had to be integrated back into society. There could be no more “bonus marches.”

Into this scene arrived an unsung hero. His name was Harry W. Colmery, a veteran of WWI.

In 1937, he was the National Commander of the American Legion. Between Christmas and New Year’s 1943, Harry Colmery was staying in Room 507 of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. During his stay, on hotel paper, he wrote the first draft of the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944.

This became commonly known as the GI Bill. Roosevelt signed it into law on June 22, 1944.

The GI Bill was an immense piece of social legislation that projected the United States into the frontline as an economic superpower with the enhancement of our middle class.

It has been amended from time to time, but the main theme has always been to provide the opportunities for our military personnel to return to society. While Congress has not declared war since WWII, our returning troops have still faced the same dangers as our WWII brothers and sisters. We no longer have the draft, so all of these troops are volunteers. I urge our Congress to do what is right in dealing with our newest veterans and make sure their benefits are protected.

I was fortunate to avail myself, as a Korean War veteran, of the benefits of the GI Bill.

ROBERT CAROLAN

Newport Beach

Beek’s lawsuit is not helping community

Allan Beek should absolutely give up his lawsuit! The voters have spoken. Let us free up the city attorney’s time and our taxpayer resources for the good of the community at large.

TOM O’LOUGHLIN

Newport Beach

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