Governor Beebe's Weekly Column and Radio Address: Boots to Books

Statement

Governor Beebe's Weekly Column and Radio Address: Boots to Books

Earlier this week, more than 200 soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard's 875th Engineer Battalion learned that they will deploy to Afghanistan in January for one year. Most of these troops will come from companies in Jonesboro and Paragould, and for many, it will be their second tour in three years. They will be joined by members of the 188th Fighter Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, C-130 crews from the Little Rock Air Force Base, and Arkansans who are part of military units from bases all over the United States.

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, we see a revolving door of soldiers leaving for war and then returning home. And as our veterans reintegrate, it is vital that we provide the best and most accessible educational opportunities to them.

Thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which took effect August 1, the U.S. government will pay college or university tuition for veterans who have served since September 11, 2001. Though we can never repay the sacrifices our servicemen and women - and their families - have made, we can show them that we are making a long-term commitment to, and investment in, their future. Certain veterans can transfer the benefits to their spouses and children, and in the case of soldiers who paid the ultimate cost, the children who are left behind can use the funds in their honor. The new bill does not discriminate - Active Duty service members, National Guard soldiers, and Reservists are all eligible for partial or full financial assistance, housing stipends, and up to $1,000 for books.

Here in Arkansas, the Yellow Ribbon Task Force, created last year to address the needs of our state's veterans, convened a conference called "Boots to Books". Educators and administrators from 37 of Arkansas's 44 colleges, universities, and technical schools gathered with representatives from the state Department of Higher Education, the Arkansas National Guard, and my office, to begin the conversation on how we can best support our veterans as they transition to higher education.

We determined that it's essential to help veterans feel at home as they navigate the realm of higher education by seeking them out on campus, developing student-veteran family support programs, and encouraging them to become full members of the college communities where they're pursuing degrees. The University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas State University, and Pulaski Technical College have established student-veteran organizations, and I encourage every institution to do the same.

Incorporating veterans into college life may not be seamless, but the whole country will reap the benefits. By the time returning soldiers enter college or graduate school, they have an entire military career behind them. They bring a rare and important perspective into the classroom, enriching the learning process for every student. More information about the GI Bill and other veterans' services can be found at www.arkansasveteran.com.

The original GI Bill allowed almost eight million World War II veterans to go to college, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill will help carry that tradition forward. Those who choose to serve and then to pursue a higher education now have that brighter future available to them.

Source