THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507060011
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
I do not wish to debate the merit, or lack thereof, concerning affirmative-action programs or, for that matter, the veteran's preference program. I do wish to address the position taken by your newspaper in associating veterans' benefits with affirmative action in ``Veterans preferred'' (editorial, June 20).
Affirmative action was meant to, at least in theory, level the field for racial minorities and for disadvantage based on gender. To qualify, one must simply belong to one of the groups considered as being at a disadvantage.
Veterans' benefits, unlike affirmative action, are not based on the vagaries of birth but, rather, service to the nation. Anyone who chooses to serve can qualify.
The veterans'-preference program was intended to reward veterans for their service and to catch them up to their working peers who weren't drafted or did not enlist. It has also been used as an inducement to serve in the military and as a reward for having done so.
As for the woman mentioned in your editorial who wanted to know ``what these guys actually did to deserve special treatment'': You and your editorial staff should know as well as anyone in this area the great sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen. They sacrifice financially, through long and painful separations, through uncertainty and danger - with or without a war.
JAMES B. STONE JR.
Virginia Beach, June 22, 1995 by CNB