This is a Record Book (http://www.efreeguestbooks.com/mg/multi.pl?27625:9:0) 
entry by Jim Berry that should be of interest to everyone.

Recordbook Entry:
Date: 2006-02-13 00:58:28
Name: Jim Berrey
Email: jimber1446@webtv.net

Comments:
Sent email messages to: Senator Warner, Allen, Murray, Cantwell, Byrd, Rockefeller. 
Martinez and Bill Nelson.

Also modified my message as noted below:

The subject for my request is for "Retired Military Health Care", nothing to do with Veteran's 
Health Care or the VA. This subject applies to every Senator, as there are military retirees living
 in every state including yours. If you Support the United States Military Retiree, please take time 
to read this message.

The United States Military Retirees that served during WWII and the Korean War as well as the 
Vietnam War were PROMISED health care for them selves and their spouse for the rest of 
their life if they served 20 or more years at a time when our country needed us. 

As you know there has been legislation for the past years which has went no where. 
While there has been a majority of co-sponsors, no one has taken action to bring it up for a vote.

The Bills are HR-602 and S.407 The Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act. 
The House has 238 co-sponsors, the Senate has been dragging their feet like they do not care about the military retirees. The Court stated while the Promise was made, the Congress would have to take action to fund the Promise.

We all know Congress funds what they want, including all the Pork needed to keep them in 
office and gang together to do the bidding of their Party Leaders. 

We know what is going on, but what I do not understand is why United States Senators have 
not co-sponsored military retirees legislation and fought to get it passed. 

We not only supported our Country but all those in our Government. If I sound a little too hard, 
think about it, only 12% are supporting us in the Senate. You needed us in our prime, 
now you throw us aside just as DoD is doing right now, and the time will soon come 
when you will need us once again. Can you tell me a state that does not have Military Retirees? 

Let them know you support them by co-sponsoring S.407 and taking action to bring it up for a vote.

I am also going to ask for help for the military retirees under age 65 in stopping DoD as they 
are now increasing Tricare Prime to as much as three times the present fees for those retiring 
with over 20 years service even after arriving from Iraq.

If you check, DoD has been increasing fees for the retirees as well as deleting earned entitlements. Congress should get DoD out of the business of the Congress, even if it takes a law to stop them or limit increases to no more than the cost of living allowance.

One of the problems we have is most of the Congressional Staff does not even know the 
difference between a military retiree and a veteran. The retiree had to serve twenty years. 

To be come a veteran it takes only 90 days and they qualify for the VA. 

As I completed 24 years and went up the ranks to SMSGT (E8) supporting our Country and 
doing my assigned duty, and by becoming a senior NCO it has stopped me from using VA 
health care. 

While it may not seem fair, I only want what I was promised and the entitlements earned. 
Your support for the VA has my thanks, but that support does not cover me or most military 
retirees and none of their spouses. 

So when your staff writes an answer reference your support for the VA or veterans, does not 
support those that gave twenty or more years to their country, the United States Military Retiree. 

Also noted most of the email, letters, as well as fax messages are filed under VA problems, 
most Congressional members are not being advised of the number of messages they are 
receiving reference retired military health care problems. Every reply received states the Congressional member's support for the VA.

Thank you for your time and all military retirees will be looking for your support.

Jim and Barbara Berrey

"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to, 
and less than that no man shall have". 

Theodore Roosevelt 1858 - 1919