Fayetteville Observer: We must take care of our veterans

Op-Ed

As we gather with friends and family this July Fourth for backyard barbecues and fireworks, we should take a moment to honor not only the values of freedom and liberty that make our country great, but also those who have fought to protect them. North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation - a place where we pride ourselves on the support we provide to our military, our veterans, and their families.

America's servicemen and women put their lives on the line for our country every day, leaving behind their families and loved ones, to keep us safe. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am committed to providing them with opportunities for future success.

I recently joined Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma in a successful effort to reinstate the Tuition Assistance Program for active-duty soldiers. This critical program, which allows service members to continue developing their skills and furthering their education, had been suspended as a result of sequestration.

Hundreds of thousands of our service members depend upon this program. In 2012 alone, 300,000 military personnel were enrolled for tuition benefits, and more than 50,000 degrees and diplomas were earned.

The Tuition Assistance Program also prepares our service members for a more successful transition into the civilian workforce. And with unemployment at 8.9 percent in North Carolina, this could not be more important.

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