Pete Stark: “having served in our nation's military, I am aware of the hardships that our military men and women, and their families…”

“having served in our nation's military, I am aware of the hardships that our military men and women, and their families, undergo on a daily basis. When they enlist in our nation's armed forces, they know they are volunteering for a very hard life, not only difficult physically, but also difficult financially and emotionally. Even in peacetime, their jobs are among the most dangerous in all of society, with injury or even death a constant threat. In addition to the dangers they face defending America and its interests and keeping the peace throughout the world, they also know that their private lives will be very, very hard. Throughout their military careers they accept reduced pay and the deep emotional strain that inadequate finances places on their families. They face the additional emotional strain caused by poor living conditions they must endure. They face the emotional pain of constant uprooting of their lives as they are moved from one military installation to another. Mr. Chairman, the military life is a deeply difficult and painful life. To be able to cope with the day-to-day difficulties in military life, our military men and women and their families must cling to hope for a better life when their military careers are over. One of the glimmers of hope is that upon retirement, their medical costs, which can be severe, will be paid.”