WASHINGTON, July 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior
Project® (WWP) is intensifying its campaign to urge
Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, unveiling a new social
media effort and highlighting medically retired veterans who are
currently being denied their full retirement benefits.
When Service members retire from the military, they are entitled
to both retired pay from the Department of Defense (DoD) and
disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) if they were injured while in service. Unfortunately, only
military retirees with at least 20 years of service and a
disability rating of at least 50% can collect both benefits at the
same time.
For all other retirees, current law requires a dollar-for-dollar
offset of these two benefits, meaning roughly 53,000 veterans must
forfeit a portion of the benefits they earned in service. The Major
Richard Star Act would allow these combat-wounded veterans to
receive both their retirement pay and disability compensation
without a dollar-for-dollar reduction. The bill is currently being
considered in the Senate.
Wounded warriors from across the country have agreed to share
their stories and images on social media, discussing how the Major
Richard Star Act would help them and future veterans. Warriors from
Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, New
York, Texas, Virginia, and other states recently gathered
at a press conference in Washington,
DC, with Sen. Jon Tester
(D-Mont.), the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, to
highlight their stories of service and sacrifice.
Mike Owens, a Marine Corps
veteran from San Antonio who lost
his right arm in Iraq, emphasized
the bill's importance: "Injured service members earned this. It's
not something they're asking for that they didn't already fight for
and sacrifice immensely to earn. They served their time. They
couldn't continue their time due to injury. They have absolutely
earned this."
In Tampa, Florida, Army veteran
Danielle Green, who lost her left
arm in Baghdad, advocates
tirelessly for her fellow veterans. "This bill would provide
crucial financial support to veterans who face significant
challenges transitioning to civilian life due to their combat
injuries," Green said.
Alex Nicoll, a Marine Corps
veteran from Kentucky who lost his
left leg in Iraq: "I didn't join
the military for the benefits or to get rich. I wanted to be a
hero, kick down doors, and take down bad guys. I didn't worry about
benefits, but even then, I knew that America had promised to take
care of its veterans. Our country has a responsibility not only to
guys like me, but the new generation of veterans coming in. We need
to show them that if something does happen to them in the line of
duty, our country will be there to support them and treat them
fairly."
Patrick Nugent was medically
retired from the Marine Corps and now lives in New York
City: "On July 12, 2017, during
a nighttime training mission, a single bullet paralyzed my right
leg, abruptly ending my military career. I wanted to be a lifetime
Marine. In search of a new path, I refused to give up and found a
new career. There are thousands of veterans with stories like mine,
and Congress must pass this bill to honor their sacrifices and
resilience."
These warriors, and others, will be available throughout the
summer to discuss their stories as WWP calls on all Senators to
support the inclusion of the Major Richard Star Act in this year's
National Defense Authorization Act.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded
Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing
needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them
achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior
Project.
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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project®