The front page headline for the USA Today weekend edition (Feb. 4-6) read, “Military foreclosure rate up 32 percent over 2008.” The treatment of our veterans is not acceptable. I am not referring to veterans from your generation who statistically are doing very well. I am concerned for veterans who served in and since the Iraq War. The Office of Labor and Statistics report these veterans are struggling. Thirteen percent unemployment for veterans is not acceptable. When more than 20,000 veterans, active-duty troops and reservists with government-backed mortgages lost their homes last year, it is unacceptable. The Pentagon’s Homeowners Assistance Program helped many, but the bottom lines is the lack of jobs for veterans.

Many of current military personnel re-enlisted rather than face economic problems with no job. My son is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. Will there be job opportunities available to him at the end of his enlistment? Focus on developing new veteran cemeteries does not address the needs of the living. In your next report to constituents, I hope to read of your actions on this matter. This is a national disgrace.

Please keep our military personnel in your prayers as they face challenges in their tours of duty and when they return to civilian life.

Paul Ibisch

Mapleton