Seamless Transition

Seamless Transition
Rep. Boozman's Column for the Week of March 21, 2005

Washington, Mar 18 - There were plenty of smiles at Fort Sill, OK earlier this month when members of the Arkansas National Guard returned to the states after serving in Iraq for over a year. Tears of joy ran down many cheeks as soldiers were reunited with their spouses and children, many holding their babies for the first time.

The 256 Arkansas-based troops were in wonderful spirits upon their return. They were among the first of the 3,000 soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade to return from Iraq. The remaining soldiers are due back within the next month and large-scale welcome home ceremony for all Arkansas' returning soldiers is set for May 21st at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Our Guardsmen have made major sacrifices during the conflict in the War on Terror. They have been deployed more frequently and for greater duration than ever before. They have suffered greater casualties in this war than in any other conflict within the last thirty years.

The members of the 39th are returning from a very hostile, extremely dangerous environment to family life and regular jobs in Arkansas. However, it will take time to mentally adjust to that drastic environmental change. These soldiers spent the past year worrying about roadside bombs, dodging grenades and exchanging fire with insurgents. They've shot and killed insurgents and lost some of their closest friends to enemy gunfire. Twenty-eight soldiers from the 39th made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The men and women who are returning to Arkansas over the next month have easily experienced more traumatic events in one year's time than most of us have in our lifetimes.

I am proud of the way they performed their dangerous mission. They are heroes in every sense of the word. Americans came together to support them when they were in Iraq, and it goes without saying that everyone is very happy that they made it home safely. Now, they still need our support as they return to a normal life in Arkansas. We have to ensure that their transition back to civilian life is seamless.

As the Chairman of the House Veteran's Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I am committed to this task. My committee has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the programs that help soldiers returning home pursue their career and education goals. Programs like the GI Bill and those that deal with vocational rehabilitation, veteran's housing programs and servicemember's civil relief will be addressed as my committee seeks to help these men and women return to a life of normalcy. This will be a priority for the VA Committee in the 109th Congress as we work to make opportunities available to the brave men and women who are returning from fighting the War on Terror.

Please join me in extending a heartfelt welcome home to these men and women. You supported them while they carried out their mission and I urge you to continue to help them as they return home in the coming weeks

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