Congressman Geoff Davis, joined by Maj. Gen. Donald Storm and representatives from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, spoke at the Maysville Kentucky Army National Guard Armory Friday afternoon and introduced Staff Sgt. Carlos Farler Citizen Soldier Equality Act of 2006.
The act, which is named after Tollesboro resident Carlos Farler, who was injured while serving in Iraq, was introduced to correct the inequity that existed between active and reserve service members in regard to disability retirement pay.
"This is a great event and it honors our troops," Davis said in his introductory remarks.
Davis said he often visits troops, and explained how he came to meet Farler while Farler was a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"We were asking the normal questions about family and how we can be of help," Davis said, and Farler informed him of the inequity that existed between active and reserve members. Active members of the Army receive disability retirement pay based on the number of years they served, while National Guard or reserve members received pay based on the amount of time spent in uniform.
Davis said that Farler, who joined the National Guard in 1989, served 13 years. However, his pay would be based on just four years.
Language from the act was incorporated into the National Defense Authorization Act, Davis said, as an amendment to benefit wounded soldiers. He also said that it appeared it would remain in the revised version of the National Defense Authorization Act formed by the House of Representatives and Senate, and would hopefully make it before President George W. Bush, for him to sign the act into law.
Davis said that enemies do not discriminate between active and reserve members of the military, and the benefits offered to those injured in the line of duty should not be unequal.
Storm addressed the group crowded into the National Guard Armory briefly as well, beginning his address with thanks to Davis for bringing the inequity to light. The fact that Davis worked towards correcting the inequity, Storm said, "says something about the heart of your congressman."
"I can think of no more important legislation than taking care of our wounded service members and their families," Storm said. "These are our civilian soldiers, our patriots, that stand up regardless of what reserve component they're a part of ... We have to take care of these soldiers."
Each representative from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War and Paralyzed Veterans of America also took the opportunity to address the crowd and express their support for the act.
Farler was the last speaker to address the crowd, and when he stood to begin, it was to a standing ovation from everyone in the room.
Farler began by saying that people join different branches of the military for different reasons, but "they're all soldiers."
He has previously said that he's honored the act would carry his name, and expressed appreciation for Davis and the work he put into the act.
"He did all the work," Farler said. "I just opened my mouth."
Davis stood with Farler and also recognized his wife for the support she's offered.
"This is a team effort, certainly a partnership," Davis said before adding, "This is what America is all about, just making a difference in the place that God puts us."
Though Farler is permanently disabled, he has said that, if able, he would return overseas to join his comrades in an instant.
"I'm proud to be an American, I'm proud to be a soldier, and I'm proud to serve my country," he said.
Contact Misty Maynard at 606-564-9091, ext. 274.