To the editor:

I urge you to support H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act. This bill would authorize the full concurrent receipt of retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation for military retirees.

Retired pay and veterans’ disability are two completely separate issues. All military retirees are veterans, but not all veterans are retirees (only 18 percent). Military members earned their retired pay via lengthy service to their country. Veterans earned their disability compensation via an unfortunate sacrifice for their country. A military retiree with a service-connected disability deserves concurrent receipt of retirement pay and veterans’ disability due to their service and sacrifice. The Air Force Sergeants Association represents all current and former Air Force members, and as a member, we see this as a priority for this Congress to take action on.

Please co-sponsor H.R. 303 and do all that you can to ensure all disabled retirees receive their full retired pay and VA disability compensation.

Sincerely,

Stephen Evans

Potsdam