Combat Veterans Tuition Waiver

Petition To Florida Congress To Legislate into law the Educational benefits for Combat Veterans. (Combat veteran's tuition waiver).

June 26, 2005
To: Florida Congress and State Representatives

Here are some important facts that I first want to bring to your attention:

In pursuit of their educational goals and the attempt to reintegrate into society; many of our returning service men and woman are discourage to learn, during the first semester, that the initial investment in the that GI -Bill barely support expenses associated with education. The VA estimates that more than 299,321 veterans are homeless on any given night. More than half a million veterans experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every four homeless males who is sleeping in a doorway, alley, or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served our country ... now they need America to remember them.

What services do veterans need?
Veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental health counseling; and personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job assessment, training and placement assistance.

This is a small token our veterans have earned for securing Americas future. Now it is time to secure their future and afford them the opportunity of becoming tomorrow's leaders.

Enacting the "Combat Tuition Waiver" at State supported school, will improve the re-adjustment and future of our service members when they return from hazardous duty.

The "Combat Tuition Waiver" will apply only to veterans who were Florida residents prior to enlistment in the armed services. Veterans who do not meet this criteria, may be consider after showing proof that they have a need and have been a Florida resident for the pats 12 months.

This Petition request to waive the payment of tuition at any of the regional state universities, community-technical colleges. (1) For any dependent child of a armed forces service member who is a Florida resident and whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces. (2) For Veterans having served in time of war, who served in either a combat or combat support role.
(3) For Veterans who have been rated at least 10 % disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs or by the Armed Services that they have served.

To be eligible the veterans must have been a Florida resident prior to enlistment and must be enrolled as a degree seeking or a trade certificate program at a state funded school. (Undergraduate and Graduate). The veteran must have served, but not limited to, in the invasion of Grenada, October 25, 1983, to December 15, 1983, the invasion of Panama, December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990, or the peace-keeping mission in Lebanon, September 29, 1982, to March 30, 1984, Kosovo liberation campaign, Bosnia, Southwest Asia.

We, as concerned parents, grandparents and citizens, must act now to protect our returning children and not forget those who gave their lives to protect America's future.

We pray that our elected officials both state and national hear our petition.

Sincerely,
Guno O Ritfeld and fellow Veterans and citizens of Florida