Legion opposed to cutting COLA for retirees/veterans

The following statement was issued today by American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger regarding provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act that cut the annual cost-of-living adjustment for military retirees by 1 percent a year until reaching age 62:

"While The American Legion applauds the proposed National Defense Authorization Act’s prohibition against new TRICARE user fees and its limitations on raising existing fees, we strongly oppose any decrease in the annual cost of living allowance for veterans, retirees – who are also veterans – or their dependents and families. The men and women who have served our country honorably and well deserve to be treated in like fashion once they have hung up their uniforms. Few sacrifice as much as servicemembers, most especially those who have devoted their careers at great personal cost to the safety and welfare of our nation."