MADISON, Wis. — The State Commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and The American Legion of Wisconsin called upon Sen. Ron Johnson to help advance the Major Richard Star Act, legislation aimed at correcting a long-standing inequity affecting combat-injured veterans.
The commanders gathered outside Sen. Johnson’s Madison office to express concern following his March 3 objection to unanimous consent consideration of the bill in the U.S. Senate.
“We are here because Wisconsin veterans are demanding accountability, and they will not be ignored,” said Ty Letto, State Commander of the VFW Department of Wisconsin. “Combat-injured veterans have already sacrificed their military careers in service to this nation. Allowing them to receive both their earned retirement pay and disability compensation is not double-dipping it is recognition of double sacrifice.”
The Major Richard Star Act would allow certain medically retired combat-injured veterans to receive full military retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without the current offset that reduces one benefit because of the other. Veterans advocates estimate the change would impact roughly 50,000 veterans nationwide, including approximately 800 in Wisconsin.
“The legislation is about fairness,” said Tiffany Koehler, State Commander of Disabled American Veterans in Wisconsin. “These veterans were forced to leave service because of combat injuries. They earned their retirement through service and their disability compensation through sacrifice. Correcting this inequity would provide meaningful financial equity to hundreds of Wisconsin veterans and their families, and thousands across the nation.”
While Sen. Johnson has indicated the bill should move through the traditional committee process, the organizations stressed that veterans expect progress as well as procedure.
“We respect the role of legislative process,” said Nathan Bond, State Commander of The American Legion Department of Wisconsin. “But process must lead to action. We are calling on Sen. Johnson to work with his colleagues to ensure the Major Richard Star Act advances through hearings, debate, and ultimately a vote.”
The three organizations, representing tens of thousands of veterans across Wisconsin, concluded with a unified message:
“Senator Johnson, pass the Major Richard Star Act now.”
About the Organizations
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and The American Legion are congressionally chartered veterans service organizations dedicated to advocating for veterans, service members, and their families while strengthening communities across Wisconsin.
