MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A nationwide push to preserve veterans’ benefit packages is gaining attention in the Mid-South.
The pledge on causes.com is called “Cut Congressional Benefits Before Cutting Veterans Benefits.”
It has nearly 60,000 pledges as of Wednesday afternoon.
WREG visited with veterans at Alpha Omega Veterans Services, Inc., who said they appreciated the nationwide support.
“We, as vets, we definitely rely on our benefits, and we’ve given a great sacrifice for those benefits, as well as for our family members. So, we definitely need those,” Navy veteran Timothy Herrington said.
There don’t appear to be any imminent threats to cut veteran benefits.
President Barack Obama’s 2015 budget proposal asked for an increase to the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than the amount allocated in 2014.
Still, the veterans WREG spoke with said they often think about the possibility of future cuts to their benefits packages.
“Why turn your back on the very people who you told to go and fight for your country and leave us out in the cold?” Navy veteran Lee Heagwood asked.