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As a veteran who received and used educational benefits provided by the World War II GI Bill of Rights and the Korean War GI Bill of Rights, I was somewhat surprised by the contents of Jerry Reckin’s letter published Dec. 24 contending that veterans of the armed services owe a debt of gratitude to Jeannette Rankin for the GI Bill. As many other lifetime Montanans, I have been aware of the evolution and promotion of the myths relating to Montana’s infamous congresswoman, but I had no idea it had reached the point described in Reckin’s letter.

For those who “weren’t around” in Montana at the time, Montana Western District Congresswoman Rankin was the only member of Congress to vote against the declaration of war against Japan after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other U.S. military bases in the Pacific on Dec. 7 and 8, 1941.

According to Reckin, “She (Rankin) introduced the GI Bill to Congress, ensuring post-service education and benefits to veterans.” That’s not even close to being historically accurate. In fact, Rankin was not a member of Congress at the time that the “Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944” came under congressional consideration. She had nothing whatsoever to do with the promotion, drafting or introduction of the WWII GI Bill of Rights, Korean War GI Bill of Rights or of any of the later military service veterans’ benefits laws.

A unanimous Congress enacted the WWII GI Bill of Rights, first drafted and vigorously promoted by the American Legion in 1944, long after Rankin had fled Montana, in political disgrace, for sanctuary at her home in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif. (It probably should be noted that Rankin had “opted” not to run for re-election in November 1942 and was succeeded in office by University of Montana professor Mike Mansfield in January 1943.)

To recognize our “debt” to Rankin, Reckin suggests “all of you former GIs drop by the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center in Missoula, and say thanks!”

I don’t think so.

It was the American Legion that was the driving force behind the enactment of the WWII GI Bill of Rights and Korean War GI Bill of Rights. Rather than “drop by the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center in Missoula, and say thanks,” I suggest that those veterans who would like to express gratitude for the educational benefits, or other benefits for that matter, which they have received under any GI Bill stop by their local American Legion post and sign up.

The Legion needs us now. And we owe the Legion a debt of gratitude. Big time.

Jim Robischon writes from Kalispell.

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