Veteran's Tax Bill

Excellent article. I am a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and I agree with alot of what you had to say. However, our military is an all volunteer service. It's young people like yourself that decide to join the military without reservations. I joined in 1974 and did not think the government would ever owe me anything when and if I retired. I joined because I thought the military was something to be proud of, something that I could get a skill after leaving high school. What I found out while I was on active duty and retired was I could received a college education via the GI Bill, which I did. I receive health insurance with no premiums after I retired. I got a tax break from my property taxes since I have a service connected disability. My son and daughter fell under my health insurance until they turned 24 and graduated from college. My wife and I enjoy privileges at the local Air Force Base for groceries and the BX. I even get a pension from the government for having served 20 years and I never contributed money to my retirement. There are so many benefits that the veteran already enjoys. But to give a veteran tax free status for the rest of his life because he "Volunteered" to serve his country honorably is, in my opinion, not necessary. Don't get me wrong, I hate paying taxes but I pay my taxes faithfully just as I served my country faithfully for 20 years.

David D. Andrews Sr., SMSgt, USAF (retired)

First of all I want to thank you for your service. Even with all of those benefits I'd have to say that we as a nation can never fully repay you. I realize that our nation's military is voluntary, which makes men such as yourself even more incredible to me. I do not mean to insult our veterans by proposing such an idea, but I believe that those who volunteer and put their lives on the line for our liberty in a time when less and less people are doing so deserve better than a confiscatory graduated income tax system that penalizes success in the private sector. If anyone has earned the option(anyone can give a 'gift' of extra money to the IRS) of not handing to hand over the money they fought for the right to earn freely, it's people like you. I really do appreciate your input and commentary though, and I would like to hear more from you in the future.