The American Legion accepts Kerry's apology; renews
call for better GI Bill

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 1, 2006) Late this afternoon, Senator John Kerry issued a statement which said: "I personally apologize to any servicemember, family member, or American who was offended" by comments he made about being "stuck in Iraq."

"On behalf of The American Legion, we accept the senator's apology for his intemperate remark," said Paul A. Morin, National Commander of The American Legion.

"We hope that the senator will use this opportunity to join with his colleagues in both houses to pass a GI Bill that gives members of the National Guard and Reserves educational benefits equal to those received by their regular Army counterparts," said Morin.

"Both are standing in Harm's Way and both deserve educational benefits sufficient to pay for a first class education in a decent college. To date the Congress has been unwilling to give Guardsmen and Reservists the same benefits given to other servicemembers, and, compounding the error, the Congress has not seen fit to award any servicemember a level of benefits sufficient to pursue an education full time. It's time to correct this error," Morin said.