
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 22, 1990                   TAG: 9003222538
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NATION BREACHES CONTRACT WITH VETS

FOR 220 million Americans, the Vietnam War ended in April 1975. For 9 million others, it continues to this day. These are the men and women classified by the federal government as Vietnam-era veterans; of these, 3 million served in Vietnam.

All 9 million were affected by serving in the military during a war that provoked unprecedented opposition in their home country. The 3 million stationed in Vietnam have special problems. Most Viet vets were forced to deal with stress by themselves. Those who served in Vietnam were seen as having a special responsibility for the war. The 3 million also suffered the often catastrophic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, the physical and psychological ravages of Agent Orange, and the disabling and disfiguring injuries of combat.

The United States has breached its contract with men and women who risked, and sometimes ruined, their lives in service to their country. Write your congressman now to lobby for more money and not cuts.

RON REICHNER\ ROANOKE

by CNB