WHEREAS, From WWII to the early 1990's, agents of the United States Government made this offer... serve for 20 years in the military and retire, and you will receive free medical care for yourself and your eligible dependents, at military treatment facilities, for as long as you and your eligible dependents live; and
WHEREAS, events have proven that this promise was the greatest gimmick, promotional stratagem, and swindle of all time, and the active duty military believed it as they were suppose to; and
WHEREAS, this promise was made initially by Military Recruiters, and then over a 20 to 30 year period by, Basic Training Instructors, line level Supervisors, 1st Sergeants, Commanding Officers, and Reenlistment Counselors, all agents of the United States government, as directed by publications received from the highest level of the military hierarchy; and
WHEREAS, the military hierarchy authorized the making of the promise, because it was the law; and
WHEREAS, Prior to 7 June 1956, TITLE 10, Subtitle A, PART II, CHAPTER 55, Section. 1074, (b) of the U.S. Code stated... Under joint regulations to be prescribed by the administering Secretaries, a member or former member of a uniformed service who is entitled to retired or retainer pay, or equivalent pay SHALL, upon request, be given medical and dental care in any facility of any uniformed service; and
WHEREAS, on 7 June 1956, Congress changed this portion of the U.S. Code to read... Under joint regulations to be prescribed by the administering Secretaries, a member or former member of a uniformed service who is entitled to retired or retainer pay, or equivalent pay MAY, upon request, be given medical and dental care in any facility of any uniformed service, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SPACE AND FACILITIES AND THE CAPABILITIES OF THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL STAFF: and
WHEREAS, by adding the words "subject to the availability of space and facilities and the capabilities of the medical and dental staff" to the U.S. Code the Congress invalidated a contract that had been made with active duty career men and women, and set the stage for military base closures, the breaking of the medical care promise, and the greatest swindle of all time; and
WHEREAS, since the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has concluded, "We cannot readily imagine more sympathetic plaintiffs than the retired officers of the World War II and Korean War era involved in this case. They served their country for at least 20 years with the understanding that when they retired they and their dependents would receive full free health care for life. The promise of such health care was made in good faith and relied upon. Again, however, because no authority existed to make such promises in the first place, and because Congress has never ratified or acquiesced to this promise, we have no alternative but to uphold the judgment against the retirees' breach-of-contract claim"; and
WHEREAS, the same court has said, "However, if they [the military retirees] are to get any relief, it must come from Congress, as this is not within [a court's] jurisdiction"; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress will not act on the Courts recommendation and will not bring the "Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act" - HR 602 - which has 236 cosponsors (which is well over one half of the House) to the floor of the House for debate and instead keeps this bill tied up in the "Subcommittee on Health" for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman; and
WHEREAS, since military retirees have no other recourse except to follow the rules, and the law of the land;
NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE UNDERSIGNED, a few of the millions that served the United States of America for more than 20 years from WWII to the early 1990's, ask you the citizens of this great nation for your assistance and help. We ask you to contact your Representatives in Washington, DC, and ask them to take those actions that are necessary to correct this grave injustice. Prove that the bumper sticker you display on your vehicle is more than just words.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the Military Retiree Grass Roots Group to be affixed.
Done across the land in this great nation we have served in the year of our Lord, two thousand and seven.
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