Media Advisory: New GI Bill Goes Into Effect August 1; American Legion Experts Available...

Media Advisory: New GI Bill Goes Into Effect August 1; American Legion Experts
Available to Discuss Huge Impact on Troops

WHO:
American Legion experts from the economics division of The American Legion in
Washington, D.C.

WHAT:
Thousands of military troops become eligible Aug. 1 to use the brand new GI
Bill that provides funding for college educations similar to the original GI
Bill of World War II, called the greatest domestic legislation ever passed by
Congress.

WHEN:
Legion experts are available to discuss the impacts, details, and answer
questions starting today during office hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Other
times can be scheduled in advance). They are available for telephone, radio or
television interviews.

WHERE:
From the Washington D.C. office of The American Legion, the nation's largest
veterans service organization.

WHY:
The inauguration of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill rings in a new era of
appreciation for the men and women who have gone in harm's way on our
behalf.

Background

The American Legion was instrumental in the passage of the most sweeping
veterans benefit in generations that U.S. Representative Chet Edwards said,
"Passing this historic new GI Bill into law could not have happened without
the dedicated efforts of The American Legion." The Legion's role in the
formulation of the new GI Bill has deep historical roots. Members of The
American Legion drafted the original Servicemen's Readjustment Act, popularly
known as the GI Bill, in 1944. It was written in longhand on hotel stationery
by American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery. The largest
scholarship program in U.S. history, the GI Bill also made home ownership a
possibility for a new generation of Americans, transforming the American
economy and creating the middle class.

The American Legion explains veterans education benefits in great detail at
www.mygibill.org. A news release, "The American Legion celebrates the
inauguration of new Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits," can be found at
www.legion.org.

CONTACT: Joe Sharpe, jsharpe@legion.org, or Mark Walker, mwalker@legion.org,
both of the American Legion, Economics Division, +1-202-263-2989

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- July 30/

SOURCE American Legion