Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Given Gas Prices, Retirees Say 2.3% Cola Doesn’t Compute

It's nice to know, as a disabled military retiree, that I will receive a whopping 2.3 percent cost-of-living increase in January based on the government’s Consumer Price Index. I appreciate every red cent.

Oh, has anyone at the Bureau of Labor Statistics [which maintains the CPI] purchased gas in the past year? The price of gas alone has far surpassed 2.3 percent and it has side effects including raising the cost of groceries!

MARK HARRIS
Chief Master Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Via e-mail

I retired from the military after 26 years. I am disabled and receive VA compensation. I also receive my military retirement and a moderate state retirement. All that combined, I still live payday to payday.

The 2.3 cost-of-living adjustment is a slap in the face. My cost of living in 2007 rose 10 percent over 2006. With 2008 staring us in the face, the word “dire” comes to mind.

I would like to thank decision-makers in Washington, D.C. -- for nothing. While they live “high on the hog,” veterans young and old are struggling to get by with our little stipends.

That 2.3 percent figure is not a true one if you are sitting in my house or in the homes of other veterans.

WARREN OLIVER
Panama City, Fla.

Has anyone in government completed Mathematics 101? Let’s look at just two commodities for the past 12 months: gas and corn.

Gas has risen higher and faster than any other commodity in our nation, I believe. The COLA is supposed to adjust for this, no?

Corn, which is used as an alternative fuel source, also has risen way beyond the 2.3 COLA planned. That would include anything with corn in it.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize this COLA is a slap in the face for government retirees, veterans and Social Security recipients.

VICTOR SCOTT HICKOK
Staff Sergeant, USA-Ret.
Via e-mail

The 2008 cost-of-living adjustment for federal retirement plans, social security, veterans’ compensation and several other entitlement programs is set to reflect the change in average prices for a market basket of goods and services from the third quarter (July through September) of 2006 to the third quarter of 2007.

The tool used to measure that change is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). It tracks prices for more than 200 categories of goods and services directly purchased in the marketplace. They fall into eight major categories: food and beverage; housing; apparel; transportation; medical care; reaction; education and communication; and an “other” category that includes tobacco, haircuts and other personal services.

A look at price changes captured by the CPI-W from September 2006 to September 2007 shows gasoline rising 8.8 percent, exceeded only by a 13.4 percent jump in dairy products and a 9.4 increase in educational books. Prices fell over the year for information technology, computers and apparel.

The price changes might not square with what any individual experienced personally. It’s only what I found in Table 6 on page 26 of “CPI Detailed Report Data for September 2007” on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. The link is www.bls.gov/cpi/cpid0709.pdf  -- Tom Philpott

RAISE DISABILITY PAY FOR ALL

This administration’s proposal to raise disability compensation is good for newer veterans. What about compensation for reduced quality of life for us older vets?

It would be nice to be able to do things most working people get to do. It would be great not having to live from paycheck to paycheck. I would love to go on vacations and out to dinner.

I am a 100-percent disabled from the Vietnam War. That war not only has screwed up my life but the lives of my family by having to deal with my problems.

The government shouldn’t just look at newer vets and treat them alone like the heroes they are. It must remember the problems caused for veterans returning to a country we fought for, feeling it was the right thing to do, only to be called baby killers and being spat on having to buy new uniforms because of the paint throw on them in California.

The attitude of the nation has changed immensely towards its warriors. Vietnam veterans too are finally getting a little respect but the damage already has been done.

I believe all disabled combat veterans should have the same benefits

VERN PATTERSON
Woodbridge, Va.

DISABLED AND DISCHARGED

I was involuntarily let go from the military for a combat-related disability. I fought separation all the way to the Secretary of the Air Force.  I had joined during Vietnam, got my honorable discharge was out awhile then joined the Air National Guard in 1990.  After my last deployment during Operation Iraq Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom, a subsequent back injury and surgery, I had 18 years in.  But once I was injured the active duty Air Force couldn't get rid of me fast enough.

I was given a 20 percent disability which wasn't enough for the surgery I had.  They said it was up to the VA to take care of me instead of giving me the 30 percent to get a military retirement.

The really disgusting part is that the lump sum I received from the Department of Defense for my 20 percent disability has to be paid back in full before I see a penny from the VA.  Though the VA rated me at 40 percent for my back injury it will take several years to pay the DoD money back by forfeiting by VA pay.  Meanwhile, I am unable to hold down a full time job as sitting or standing for any length of time causes terrible pain in my back and in legs.  I even have trouble going to movies, shopping or out to dinner.

This is my abbreviated story. I put in here all the deployments, conflicts, countless schools or the lives my work in service has touched.

I still cannot believe the Air Force did not give me my retirement.  I have worked very hard doing a job I loved for a country I love.  What they have done is make a mockery of the veterans they do this to.

DEENA PASQUALE
Las Vegas, Nev.

EXCELLENT CARE

I am tired of the constant sour grapes about VA medical care. It is time to hear about the good the VA does for veterans. I have received excellent medical care for years at the VA Hospital in Spokane, Wash. I would not be alive today if the VA had not discovered a serious aortic aneurism and surgically repaired it.

Let's hear some of the good the VA does for us veterans for a change!

CHUCK HUFFINE
Army Veteran
Via e-mail

 Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com

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