Should non US service members receive benefits?

SGT Nelson Stahl — Wed, 29 May 2024 16:18:36 -0400

I would just like to see how other veterans feel about our government giving "veterans's benefits" to people who did not sever in our military. The bill I reference is Senate Bill 973 in the PA legislature, giving benefits to Korean solders who fought in the Korean army in Vietnam, who later became US citizens. I know there are similar bills in other states. While the benefit is small, I believe anyone who did not serve in our military should not be entailed to collect as if they had. I don't deny they may have helped our effort but they still did not serve our country.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 29 at 2024 6:06 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Wed, 29 May 2024 18:06:45 -0400

I read the bill, and can't see where they get anything more than recognition as VN veterans

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 29 at 2024 7:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 29 May 2024 19:25:29 -0400

The Korean government benefited big time for the troops they sent to Vietnam. They should bear the burden for their Soldier’s service in Nam! SGT Nelson Stahl

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 30 at 2024 11:54 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 30 May 2024 11:54:16 -0400

I read about it and it states it would amend Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to grant the same rights, benefits, and privileges of United States military veterans to any resident of the Commonwealth who is both a Vietnam War veteran of the Korean Armed Forces and a duly naturalized citizen of the United States.

I understand the need/desire to recognize a community of individuals for their work/deeds but I just don't see how one justifies the other. US Military Veterans get benefits reserved for US Military Veterans. I don't disagree that some level of recognition could be made but not this.

Response by Sgt Michael Baechle made May 30 at 2024 11:58 AM

Sgt Michael Baechle — Thu, 30 May 2024 11:58:30 -0400

I would be opposed if the VA granted benefits to soldiers of a foreign army even if their country was an ally of the US.
However, if a State wants to grant benefits or recognition to US citizens who served in an army of a nation that was a US ally, that doesn't bother me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2024 12:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 May 2024 12:13:42 -0400

This is a very small population the bill is targeting and applies only to the state.
1) I'm curious the success anyone would have taking a Korean Army discharge paperwork and jumping through the state VA hoops with it to get said benefits.
2) I wonder how many are going to even bother trying.
3) The bill is more symbolic than anything.
4) The USA is the most powerful and richest nation in the history of civilization, and is propped up by the blood of those willing to be placed in harms way for its interests and those who step up to the task are becoming fewer and fewer among its own citizens. It's of nominal burden for the nation to extend a minimal gratitude to those who have stepped up in support of those interests and later became US Citizens.

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Jun 2 at 2024 12:43 AM

SrA Cecelia Eareckson — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 00:43:49 -0400

I seem to recall that some already do. Philipinos? RoK has been a staunch ally, and I would not object.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2024 12:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 12:21:08 -0400

Sooooooooooooo.................... my USAR position is directly tied to the Korean Peninsula. Every year I spend my annual training over there. I have even earned the Korean Defense Medal while in reserve status because I've been over there so many times.

My official title on my Unit Manning Report is: Combined Movement Transportation Command Surface Director. Which is a fancy title for an O4 billet that is in charge of tracking and coordinating movement of a subset logistical transportation assets.

I spend my time directly working with South Korean counterparts in the same building sharing the same equipment sitting in the same briefings to the same combined general command with both US and S Korean flag officers all to achieve the same objective.

The current US relationship South Korea cannot be overstated. It technically has never diminished since the Korean War.

When considering the diplomatic weight of this gesture at the state legislature level I think A LOT MORE should be considered given the reality of the world and the importance of the South Korean contribution to US interests and world power balance.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 2 at 2024 1:00 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 13:00:52 -0400

I do not know when you served, but every US military person that served in the Vietnam War should know the contribution the ROK soldiers made to our war effort. A small token of respect and gratitude is well earned.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 2 at 2024 1:03 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 13:03:34 -0400

Another point:
During the war, 43,660 KATUSAs fought and bled alongside their American brothers, said Martin. Their sacrifice is staggering with approximately 6,415 killed in action, 3,823 wounded, and 1,667 still missing in action today.

A KATUSA is "Korean Augmentation to the United States Army"

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Jun 2 at 2024 8:30 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:30:42 -0400

Are you mad because they are receiving a benefit you are not, or are you mad because they are receiving a benefit you also receive and feel it lessens it in some fashion?

Have you considered someone had to propose this bill, and the bill was debated, voted, and passed? You quibbling about benefits others are receiving tells me a lot about you, especially with the "Stolen Valor" tag. Do you know any of these people? Have you met them? Talked with them? Know anything about their experience or their sacrifice?

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 3 at 2024 11:08 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:08:42 -0400

My bottom line is, if the state wants to do this, and it is NOT taking anything away from our Veterans, that is fine.

Response by Sgt Melinda Pamphrey made Jun 4 at 2024 3:06 PM

Sgt Melinda Pamphrey — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:06:43 -0400

SGT Stahl, I agree with you. They were not United States citizens and therefore did not serve our country. Our own service members have a great deal of difficulty getting the benefits they rightfully earned and yet here is congress more then willingly to hand out our benefits on a silver platter to those who did not serve our country. This does belong in the stolen valor category.