Caring for America’s Veterans
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Caring for America’s Veterans Hawaii is home to approximately 24,000 veterans over the age of 55. Our veterans have served us bravely and unselfishly, putting physical and mental health on the line for America. In recognition of this service, Congresswoman Hirono believes we must keep our commitments to our veterans and help them transition into civilian life. Working For Hawaii Supporting Veterans in Higher Education: The World War II GI Bill helped open the doors to college for many of the Greatest Generation who never thought that possible. Congresswoman Hirono cosponsored the Post-9/11 GI Bill to help a new generation of veterans pay for college or get the job training they need. The bill allows veterans, service members, reservists and Guard members to earn education benefits up to the cost of an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution—including job training or vocational credentials. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also allows for the transfer of unused benefits to eligible career service members’ families. Honoring Our Heroes: “This recognition of bravery, patriotism and unquestioned loyalty is long overdue,” said Congresswoman Hirono when the House of Representatives passed legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army “Go For Broke” 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service for their acts of valor during World War II. At a time when many of their fellow Americans questioned their loyalty to the United States, these Japanese-American soldiers enlisted and put their lives on the line to defend our freedom overseas while fighting against fear and discrimination at home. Congresswoman Hirono was humbled to cosponsor this legislation to bestow Congress’ highest civilian honor. The “Go For Broke” regiments are the most decorated in United States military history for its size and length of service earning 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier’s Medals, 4,000 Bronze Stars and more than 4,000 Purple Hearts, among numerous additional distinctions. Helping Veterans Return to Work: Congresswoman Hirono believes that it’s only right to stand up for our service members who so bravely stood up for us. That’s why she cosponsored the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in November 2011. The law offers tax credits for employers who hire veterans who have been out of work for a long period of time.
Fighting to Help Reunite Filipino WWII Vets and their Families: For too many of our Filipino World War II veterans, reuniting with their families is still out of reach. That’s why Congresswoman Hirono was proud to support legislation that was passed by the House that could help reunite thousands of Filipino families by cutting the waiting time and doubling the number of visas awarded to people from the Philippines. She has also introduced bipartisan legislation to help reunite Filipino World War II veterans in the United States with their families in the Philippines. Caring for Veterans’ Health: For the first time, Congress successfully secured a stable and uninterrupted source of funding for medical care for veterans under 2009 legislation Congresswoman Hirono cosponsored. Congresswoman Hirono also supported the Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act, which was signed into law by President Bush in 2007 to improve benefits for veterans with damaged vision. Looking Out for Veterans’ Families: While the Military Order of the Purple Heart has had a Ladies Auxiliary of the Purple Heart, there was no place in the organization for the husbands of female members. That’s why Congresswoman Hirono cosponsored the Purple Heart Family Equity Act of 2007, which enables the spouses and siblings of a Purple Heart medal recipient to join the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America as an associate member. This law honors the women of our Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart defending our nation. Helping Hawaii’s Families When a Vietnam War veteran was diagnosed with a severe service-related disease that left him unable to work, he contacted Congresswoman Hirono for help with the VA. As a result of the congresswoman’s efforts, the veteran was able to receive the full benefits he deserved. Sharon Dahl of Maui, a widow of a Vietnam War veteran who received survivor benefits after a year of frustration, wrote Congresswoman Hirono: “The VA had misplaced my application for survivor benefits and you were able to contact the right agent to remedy this oversight... Your actions on my behalf are greatly appreciated.” For most of his life, Punaluu’s Ronald Ebert did not know that he had earned recognition from his military service in Vietnam. Ebert was informed that medals would be difficult to receive without the advocacy and support of a member of Congress. He turned to Congresswoman Hirono in 2009, and six months later, he was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a single bronze star device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. A retired marine was due back payments from the Social Security Administration from 2006, but had not filed a claim due to his name change and foreign residency. Within two days of Congresswoman Hirono’s inquiry, his back payments were processed. |
