CARNEY-CASEY BILL REWARDS SACRIFICE BY GUARD, RESERVES

The Daily and Sunday Review

A principal feature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the unusually heavy involvement of National Guard and Reserves. More than 250,000 Guard and Reserves troops have served in those countries.

Their service has blurred the line between full-time Army troops and part-time units. A recently passed bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Carney in the House and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. in the Senate rewards the sacrifices by Guard and Reserves soldiers by making them eligible for the same educational benefits that are available to full-time troops.

The new law provides that any Guard or Reserves member who deploys to Iraq or Afghanistan is eligible for educational benefits for 10 years after mustering out.

Extension of educational benefits is a great way to recognize the sacrifice of part-time troops who are summoned to full-time duty.

Pennsylvania Guard and Reserves units have been deployed more frequently than those of most other states. It’s fitting that Mr. Carney and Mr. Casey combined their efforts on behalf of soldiers who have borne more than their fair share of this war’s sacrifice.