During the Gulf War, the U.S. military engaged in what was known as Operation Desert Storm. Operation Balkan Endeavor found troops stationed throughout Bosnia on a peacekeeping mission in the 1990s. Today, the armed forces are busy carrying out Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. battle to seek out and punish those responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Wisconsin state government officials now want to make troops involved with Operation Enduring Freedom eligible for veterans' benefits.
On Tuesday, the State Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Bill 558, giving U.S. troops of Operation Enduring Freedom and their eligible spouses and children the same benefits that were offered to those involved in earlier operations.
“Under current law, certain persons are eligible for veterans' benefits based on their service during certain periods of war or hostilities, such as Operation Desert Storm or Operation Balkan Endeavor,” the bill states. “The benefits that veterans or their eligible spouses and dependents may receive include preference in state hiring, vocational training, economic assistance, personal and home loans, and retraining grants.”
Debbie Monterrey-Millet, press secretary for Gov. Scott McCallum, said it is important for government to compensate the armed services for their work during these operations.
“If there is anything we can do to support those involved in the war effort, it is important we do so by ensuring that liberties of theirs not be taken away while they are serving our country,” Monterrey-Millet said.
Steve Bass, press secretary for Speaker Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, said it is important for Americans to show support for the troops working overseas.
“The National Guard makes tremendous sacrifices,” Bass said. “Sometimes the military has to make the ultimate sacrifice. It is important to show we support them, and benefits are a tangible way of doing this.”
Bass said the seriousness of the bill was appreciated by both parties, as evident by its unanimous passing.
“This is not a bipartisan issue,” Bass said. “It is something that affects everyone.”
Assembly Bill 558 would also provide insurance for students forced to withdraw from school unexpectedly if activated into service.
The bill states that Wisconsin universities and technical schools must provide activated students with the choice of either receiving an incomplete for all classes the student cannot complete or allowing the student to complete the courses within six months after discharge without having to pay additional fees.
Activated students would also have the option to receive a complete tuition refund, and, for UW-System students, a prorated portion of room and board payments.
Terry Musser, head of the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, said this bill would make it easier for students state-wide to join the military without hassle.
“Prior to this bill, each university could decide on its own how it was going to deal with students who were called into service,” Musser said. “We're trying to right a wrong. People should not be penalized for serving their country. If anything, they should be rewarded.”
Assembly Bill 558 would be effective for all those who are directly in the theater of operations for one day, or after 90 days of being in service. The 90 days would apply, for example, for someone who is called up to serve at a base in Texas but is never actually in combat.
“We realize that this is a completely new ball game — the first time since World War II that we have had to deal with a situation like this,” Musser said. “Thus, we have to respond in a different way than, for instance, Operation Desert Storm, where we knew what we were dealing with. Now everything is affected and relevant.”
The bill next moves to the Senate, and, if passed by the Senate, will be given to McCallum to be signed into an act or vetoed.
