In 1944 the U.S government passed a landmark legislation known as the G.I. Bill.

This legislation opened up educational opportunities to millions of WW II veterans in the form of college scholarships, which were good at any school in the nation.  By 1947, half of the nation’s college students were veterans.   The GI Bill also provided low-interest, no-money-down mortgages to vets, which enabled many to own their first homes.

Unfortunately, its intent was tarnished by racism and segregation. Minority vets benefited far less than whites for decades.  Yet, the seeds of America’s White middle class were planted by the GI Bill.

And why not, these brave Americans of all races placed everything on the line to defend our freedom and our way of life.  They fought and died to rid the world of despotism and genocide.

But you don’t drive a 1944 car, and we shouldn’t assume that the current GI bill is any more desirable.  Its benefits have fallen far behind the real cost of obtaining a college education.   The housing provisions are barely adequate to purchase today’s overpriced homes.

So now, with a new generation of veterans returning home and welcomed as heroes, what do we owe them?  Surely, they deserve the opportunity to put their lives back together, to gain an affordable education, to live in safe neighborhoods.

A new GI bill is being considered by congress, which still offers far less than its original predecessor.  For all they have given us, can’t we at least give them a fair break?

They promised to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  What a shame that after they kept their promise, their last enemy may just be an ungrateful nation.