American Legion event to honor 80th anniversary of GI Bill

The American Legion is coordinating a special 80th anniversary celebration of the 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act, better known as the GI Bill, on June 20 in the nation’s capital. The public is invited to attend the event, which will take place from 4-7 p.m. at the United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.

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The event will honor the impact on veterans and families provided by the GI Bill, which now has provided millions of veterans with college educations and more. The components of the 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act were originally drafted by American Legion Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery in the winter of 1943.

The original GI Bill, which also provides veterans with housing loans and unemployment benefits, has been updated throughout the years to remain modern and serve generations of veterans from World War II through today.

The event honoring the GI Bill also will include guest speakers, including:

·       Joe Garcia, Executive Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration.

·       Patrick Murphy, 32nd Under Secretary of the Army.

·       Retired Army Col. Adam Rocke, master of ceremonies for the event.

The event will also feature a student panel that will discuss "The GI Bill, Higher Education for our Veterans since WWII," which will be moderated by Tammy Barlet, Vice President, Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America.