SERVICE
Fought the Good Fight
ABy Jim Lamb s WORLD WAR II came to a close, General
Omar Bradley took over the reins of the
Veterans Administration and launched
a major re-organization to help welcome home
millions of soldiers, sailors, and aviators.
The legacy of caring for America’s warriors was a
seed planted early and nurtured often as the nation
grew. President Abraham Lincoln expressed the
vision this way: “To care for him who shall have
borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”
While there are have been many steps in America’s
ongoing journey to care for its citizen-soldiers,
the days after WORLD WAR II marked a major
milestone. According to Katie Delacenserie,
Veterans Health Administration historian,
the modern era of today’s Veterans Health
Administration began when President Harry S.
Truman established the Department of Medicine
and Surgery on 3 January 1946 as the nation
helped 16 million Veterans transition back to
civilian life.
So many men and women. So many needs.
Challenges were numerous and multi-faceted.
It wouldn’t be easy.
Jennifer Sardam, a Veteran who served as an Army
journalist during OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM
and NEW DAWN, says America’s legacy of caring
has “roots traceable back to 1636 when the Pilgrims
of Plymouth Colony passed a law that provided
support for disabled soldiers…”
Later, the Continental Congress provided
pensions for soldiers who were disabled during
the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR. In 1833
the Bureau of Pensions was established. In 1862
Congress authorized the President to purchase
“cemetery grounds” for those who died in the
service of the country. After the CIVIL WAR, many
state Veterans’ homes were established.
By the 1920s, benefits were being administered
by three separate federal agencies: the Veterans
Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions, and the National
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
President Herbert Hoover moved the nation closer
he signed Executive Order 5398 to “consolidate
and coordinate Government activities affecting war
Veterans.” He called it “One of the most important steps
taken in reorganization of the Federal Government…”
VETERANS AFFAIRS 90 YEARS: Military & Wellness 13