Supporting and honoring those who serve

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the eve of the invasion of Normandy, told his troops "The eyes of the world are upon you. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle."

These words still ring true. We owe our freedom and security to the men and women in uniform who defend our nation through their bravery and dedication. I am proud to be able to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives as we help those who have served our country.

Nebraska is home to more than 150,000 veterans, many of whom live in the rural areas of Western Nebraska. Veterans in geographically-remote areas find it increasingly difficult to access necessary and vital care. Long distances and daunting travel time are unavoidable for many veterans in rural areas throughout the country.

Due to the distances veterans must travel to seek care, coupled with long wait times, many patients delay or simply choose not to obtain the necessary care.

These realities are why I helped form the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus to focus on issues facing veterans in rural areas, explore opportunities to enhance access to health care for veterans, and provide a forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas on how best to improve services for veterans in rural areas.

Veterans in rural areas who have served since September 10, 2001, also may qualify for a new education benefit called the Post-9/11 GI Bill (also known as chapter 33 benefits).

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. This program allows every eligible veteran, servicemember, reservist and National Guard member an opportunity to receive assistance for in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution. Provisions of the program include payments for tuition and fees, housing, and a stipend for books and supplies.

Depending on each individual's situation, benefits also could include a rural benefit payment. This one-time, lump-sum payment of $500 is issued directly to a student who resides in a county with six persons or fewer per square mile.

For more information on this program, visit the GI Bill website at http://www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). You may also contact my Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333.

During a time in which increased military commitments have placed financial and emotional burdens on our troops and their families, Congress needs to work to provide our armed forces the benefits they have earned.

In January of 2007, the Department of Defense announced the establishment of the Post-Deployment Mobilization/Respite Absence (PDMRA) program to provide benefits to active duty service men and women deployed beyond established rotation cycles to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The PDMRA program offers Armed Forces personnel additional days of leave when their deployments are unexpectedly extended. However, many months after returning home, more than 20,000 of these troops -- including thousands of National Guard troops -- have not received their earned benefits. It is estimated approximately 220 troops in Nebraska are affected by this unresolved issue.

The need to fix this problem has recently become even more urgent as military personnel still owed benefits from previous deployments are beginning to be redeployed.

Recently, I joined with more than 30 of my colleagues in an effort led by Reps. Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Erik Paulsen (R-MN) to provide the Department of Defense the necessary authority and funding to ensure all affected troops receive the benefits they deserve as soon as possible.

Our freedom is owed to the bravery of our veterans. I am proud to represent them and their families. These brave men and women should have every opportunity for education and quality health care without bureaucratic red tape standing in the way of the benefits they deserve.