Heroes Back Home

Photo By Spc. Lindsay Holguin | Ms. Erica M. M. Harris is on a mission of her own to get New York State to offer a bonus to Soldiers fighting the War on Terror.  

03.13.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Lindsay "Boom Boom" Holguin
Photo by R.V. Graves

(Mar. 11, 2006) -- We always discuss Soldiers fighting for America, but we also need to take the time to recognize the Americans that fight for Soldiers. One example of this personal patriotism is a woman from Brooklyn, New York who feels that New York could do more to support its hometown heroes.

Erica M. M. Harris, a native New Yorker whose fiancée is currently serving in Iraq, came across an article online that referenced a fund that the state of Massachusetts sanctioned in November 2005 called the Welcome Home Bonus Program.

The Massachusetts bonus program is managed through the Department of the State Treasurer and grants a one time, tax free bonus of up to $1000 to Massachusetts military members who served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Military members who served in any other theater of operations since Sept. 11, 2001 are eligible to receive a $500 bonus.

The Welcome Home Bonus Program also gives National Guardsmen tuition-free enrollment at public colleges and $2,000 in annual payments to spouses and parents of Soldiers who have died as a result of war.

Many feel this type of veterans program shows a state's appreciation for their Soldiers by giving them a stipend to assist in their transition from military to civilian life.

After reading the article, Ms. Harris wanted to get the attention of the New York State government. She felt it was imperative that New York State also establish a 'veteran's bonus" for returning military members of the Empire State who have served in support of the U.S. War on Terrorism.

"â?¦I felt that it was important to address this issue and make sure that our state citizenry properly welcomes our Soldiers home with the appropriate support and compensationâ?¦," said Ms. Harris

Ms. Harris has written letters to the Governor of New York George Pataki, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, and Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer. Pataki's and Schumer's offices referred her to the New York State Department of Veteran's Affairs to place her query. Not only did she send letters to the above mentioned four officials, but she sent letters to all 150 New York State Assembly representatives, all 29 New York State Congress representatives, and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. She has yet to receive responses from them.

Based on her research and a response from the NYS Department of Veterans Affairs, she found that NYS Legislature ratified a law that authorized a state "welcome home" bonus for Soldiers during World War II. Returning military members were entitled to a maximum $250 cash award. This type of bonus has not been sanctioned by the NY State Legislature since then.


"I find it truly incomprehensible that such a bonus has not existed in New York in over fifty years and through five international wars," said Ms. Harris. "I feel that it is our duty to support our heroes of today as we did our veterans of World War II. Many of New York's National Guardsmen were at ground zero on September 11, 2001 working even before they got the official call and many others have worked since that tragic day in the subway and bus stations. I think we should do something special for these men and women of New York.

As a student at the City College of New York in Harlem, her next step is starting a petition to be disseminated within her home and school communities. "The goal is to obtain as many signatures as possible," she said.

Other states such as South Dakota, New Hampshire and West Virginia have similar programs in effect already. New Hampshire has a program called the Global War on Terrorism Operations Service Bonus. A bonus of $100 is given to military members who served on or after September 11, 2001.

In West Virginia, veterans are eligible for a $600 bonus if they served in the combat zones of Afghanistan or Iraq. Those military members that were activated outside the combat zone may qualify for a $400 bonus. Relatives of those that were killed in action are eligible for a $200 bonus.

Military members that are residents of South Dakota are eligible for a bonus payment of up to $500 if they served on active duty overseas during Jan. 1, 1993 through Sept. 10, 2001 and were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal or any other United States campaign or service medal awarded for involvement in combat operations against hostile forces. All military members activated between the dates of Sept. 11, 2001 through a date to be determined also qualify for the bonus.

"There are different types of monetary incentive programs offered to our veterans in every state," said Ms. Harris. "However, if not all, most of these programs are mere solicitations for the Soldiers to either extend their tours through reenlistment, or to recruit others to join the military."

"If New York were to establish a Welcome Home Bonus, it would send the message to our returning troops that their home state wants to give them a helping hand getting back on their feet without demanding anything more from them in return. As one of the most prosperous states in the country, New York should be more than capable of providing the same state government compensation amount and provisions as Massachusetts."

Ms. Harris feels that it is essential that the state government is aware of and sincerely acknowledges this issue.

"I am personally dedicated to the ongoing cause of supporting our troops from New York State," said Ms. Harris. "Not only is my fiancée a National Guardsman currently serving a tour of duty in Iraq, but my father as well as my paternal grandfather and uncle all served in the military. "That is why I feel it is imperative that our Soldiers, who have been committed to defending our freedom as well as the freedom of others, feel at home when they return and are provided with a jump-start they may need to re-enter civilian society."

• Date Taken: 03.13.2006
• Date Posted: 03.13.2006 15:12
• Story ID: 5703