Where were the rest of our congressional representatives when Sen. Kelly Ayotte was standing up for military retirees? The drafters of the budget agreement mention that military retirement after only 20 years is such a “generous retirement program” that they can absorb a 1 percent reduction in cost-of-living adjustments until they reach the age of 62. Obviously, they were not thinking about the possibility of early death and dismemberment that goes along with 20 years of service.

What happened to the concept of “shared sacrifice?” Why are the men and women wearing the uniform of the United States – the 1 percent who volunteered to keep the rest of us safe – the only group being asked to sacrifice their promised, hard-fought benefits?

More shamefully, this budget deal takes away 1 percent of each year’s COLA from our medically retired military members, many of whom saw multiple deployments over the last decade and returned home with grievous wounds and injuries.

Sen. Ayotte knows an outrage when she sees one. While she has fought hard to prevent government shutdowns and voted against the deal that gave us the sequester, she does not believe a budget deal should come at the expense of those who have given the most to our country. Civilian federal employees were grandfathered. No such protections were offered our veterans and current serving personnel.

All New Hamnpshire veterans and citizens who support our military should call or write the other members of our delegation and demand they correct this injustice.

Paul Chevalier

USMC (Ret)

Hudson

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