Retirement Rights for Disabled Veteran

Petition of Retirement Rights


I Micheal Lyn Resendez request that my fellow American citizens take notice to the injustice of the situation at hand.

About the time of Oct 4, 1993 I was involved in a military accident in which I suffered a severe head injury. At the time, I was 21 years old and had just started my military career as a recent US Army Ranger School graduate. After the accident, I was perceived to be unfit for duty, yet the Army wished to retire me with only 20\% disability. I found this to be quite an injustice, therefore I argued to be reinstated for active duty or to be retired with my due amount of disability. I was reinstated and later fully retired on September 26, 1995 after completing 3 years, 11 months, and 15 days of active duty.

From that time until January 27,2003 I had battled to secure every benefit that I now have and, unfortunately, along the way, I'd lost everything I had owned and loved. Now congress has enacted a bill to allow disabled veterans and retirees, such as myself, to receive Combat Related Special Compensation pay along with Disability or retirement payment. Before this bill we had not been offered the both together as most every other government employees are given. I, myself, and many others like me, are not offered this package deal because we did not serve a full 20 years. To my understanding I was not able to do so because of the negligence of another man. The man who drove too fast in the 5 ton truck in which I was a passenger. Yet, as I suffered through my ordeal, this soldier was still enjoying his time in the Army. Just recently he's decided to retire (see Crone, James M. SGT USAREC" [email protected] 560-33-3207)

But, my fellow Americans, as a US Retired Soldier I believe that I am also entitled to the same benefits as any other soldier who has had the opportunity to serve his 20 years. I could have served mine to the fullest extent of the Army and the Nation's expectations but, because I was injured by the negligence of another soldier, I was unable. That soldier was permitted to remain in the service and to receive his full benefits. I believe strongly that this is a grave injustice. I ask your support as an American and as a fellow human being. Please, recognize me in my quest to obtain the same rights as the veteran who served his full 20 years. The same veteran who cut my 20 years so very short. I urge you to support not only myself but all of the other United States soldiers who have been abused and neglected by our government.

Thank you,

Retired PFC Resendez, Micheal lyn
and all other disabled / retired veterans