Medal of Honor recipients could see their annual pensions increase six-fold under a bipartisan, bicameral effort in Congress.
Under the bills by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., the pay for those receiving America’s highest military honor would jump from $16,800 per year to $100,000 annually, according to Fox News.
If passed, the bill would affect 60 living Medal of Honor recipients.
RELATED: U.S. 20 is now the National Medal of Honor Highway, completing dream of Bend veteran
Bend Heroes Foundation Chairman and retired Army Lt. Col. Dick Tobiason, who recently saw his bill to name U.S. Highway 20 the National Medal of Honor Highway become reality, responded to the news.
“No amount of money can pay for their valor during combat. They deserve it,” Tobiason told Central Oregon Daily News in a statement. “I hope that special compensation is not reduced by any service-connected disability payment from the VA.”
Tobiason noted that 45 of the living Medal of Honor recipients served in Vietnam.
“They are between 75 and 91 years old so their special compensation will not last long. The recipients from later wars represent 25% of all living recipients, are much younger, and should carry on the Society’s outreach programs knowing they can use the new compensation if approved by Congress and the President.
“We need to promote their travels across America while they are able. The late Robert D. ‘Bob’ Maxwell from Bend was a WWII recipient of the Medal of Honor. He treasured his annual visits to schools during annual Society conventions held across our nation. As Bob was a Director of Bend Heroes Foundation, I learned of his special visits to schools.”
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