THE FIRST VETERANS BENEFITS

Throughout American history, the United States government has maintained a benefit system exclusively for citizens who have performed a military duty in the service of their country. This special system of services for the veteran has evolved from our tradition of compensating former service members for their injuries or loss of career or educational opportunities incurred in the course of military duty.

The first veterans' benefit on record in America was enacted by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in 1636. It provided that any soldier injured in defense of the Colony would be maintained competently by the Colony during his life. In 1780, the Continental Congress promised officers half pay for seven years and enlisted personnel were promised mustering out pay of $80 if they served until the end of the War for Independence. For the first American Servicemen who endured the bitter hardships of Valley Forge, the promise of a land grant served as an enticement to serve and remain in the Army.

After the British surrendered at York Town, the victorious American citizen soldiers quickly returned to civilian pursuits. The 286,000 survivors represented only 7% of the total population in 1790. The War of 1812 added 258,000 veterans and 86,000 more joined the ranks in 1848 at the close of the Mexican War.

CIVIL WAR ERA

The Civil War, of course, brought a large number of veterans into the picture. At the end of the war in 1865, there were 1,900,000 Union Army veterans on the rolls. A slightly smaller number of Confederate soldiers who fought in the Civil War were not honored as veterans. There were, however, some good things that came out of the post Civil War period. The nearly 2,000,000 Union veterans generated greater demand for veterans' programs. It was not until 1958 that Confederate veterans were pardoned and pensions were made available to the handful still remaining alive.

WWI -- VETERANS NUMBERS INCREASE

World War I produced a tremendous number of veterans - nearly 5,000,000. Over 200,000 were wounded and 116,000 died. After the Armistice, the large veterans population and the growth of veterans organizations gave rise to new veteran programs and new benefits.

These benefits included government insurance against death and permanent disability. A hospital system evolved out of the public health service hospitals and rehabilitation programs were established. The doughboys of World War I returned to Main Street, USA to find a sagging economy, rising prices and widespread unemployment.