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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.
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Benefits
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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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.
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.
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SGT Nelson Stahl
As I said the benefit is small. My problem is them being recognized for something they didn't serve for. It is the symbolism of this bill I object to, not the cost or how many apply. We serve to defend our nation, these people did not and should not be recognized as having done so.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
I don't see how you can think that no Korean soldiers were any help to our GI's.
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1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR)
CPT (Join to see) The USA is not the richist country in the world. Depending on what factors are used, various countries migrat to the top of the list. If measured by GDP, China has surpassed the US as the richest country in the world with a GDP of $35.29 trillion, as of 2024. China's economy is backed by a large manufacturing capacity as it is the largest manufacturing country in the world. On every scale you look at, the USA is never in the top five!
According to a forecast by Fathom Consulting, by 2100, Asian economies such as China and India are expected to lead the global economy with the highest GDP share. The report forecasts China to have a share of 22.68% and reach $101 trillion by 2100.
According to a forecast by Fathom Consulting, by 2100, Asian economies such as China and India are expected to lead the global economy with the highest GDP share. The report forecasts China to have a share of 22.68% and reach $101 trillion by 2100.
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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.
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.
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SGT Nelson Stahl
This is not about Koreans, this is about honoring people who did not serve in our military for service they did not preform. Why should anyone who did not wear the uniform be treated as if they had? Should we give Army metals to our steelworkers who made the guns?
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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.
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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.
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.
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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
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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"
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"
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MSG Stan Hutchison
SGT Nelson Stahl - As I posted:
My bottom line is, if the state wants to do this, and it is NOT taking anything away from our Veterans, that is fine.
Edit
My bottom line is, if the state wants to do this, and it is NOT taking anything away from our Veterans, that is fine.
Edit
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SGT Nelson Stahl - 1. In the OP, you note these veterans have become US citizens, an important point. I would see that like a transfer, just like my mother transferred her US military service time to her state pension plan, and got to retire a bit earlier. 2. That generation of Koreans knew poverty. I was stationed at Osan AB in 1977 and 78. One local national I worked with delivered inbound household goods and hold baggage. Everything was done with sheer muscle. I'm kind of a crusty old girl, but anybody who can hoist a carton that weighs at least his own body weight and walk it up to a second story is the kind of immigrant I would like to bring into the fold.
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SGT Nelson Stahl
Well your mother worked for both and did time with the state. While she may have gotten a veterans pension, she would not have received a state pension if she had not worked for them. The question really isn't about Koreans it could be any group. I'm all for honoring them for what they did. but not for being American Veterans.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
My last on the subject. My mother did not get any vteran's benefit. She applied her time in the US Army to her state time. More like transferring college credits. This is about veterans who have become US citizens. How do you accept that much larger admission, but not its corollary?
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I read the bill, and can't see where they get anything more than recognition as VN veterans
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SGT Nelson Stahl
The point is they are being honored as US veterans, which they are not. I am not sure of all the state benefits but they include a US flag for their casket.
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I seem to recall that some already do. Philipinos? RoK has been a staunch ally, and I would not object.
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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.
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My bottom line is, if the state wants to do this, and it is NOT taking anything away from our Veterans, that is fine.
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