THE FIGHT AFTER THE WAR THE LONG BATTLE FOR VETERANS’ BENEFITS
It’s not always easy for veterans to get the compensation they deserve for their service to our country, especially if they’re wounded and filing a disability claim. Contention surrounding federally funded financial support for our veterans is as old as the United States itself. It took over 140 years for the Department of Veteran Affairs to be formed. Despite all the problems facing the V.A. today, there’s value in seeing how far America has come in supporting its troops. During the American Revolution, one way the Continental Congress tried to incentivize men to join the Continental Army was by promising bonuses and pensions for their service. Congress was short on funds following the Revolution, however, and failed to follow through on their promise. This caused bitterness among Revolutionary War veterans, and they clashed with civilians who viewed the pensions as government handouts. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that the United States would experience a new era of veteran care. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers returned from the war wounded with nowhere to go. Following the creation of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in 1865, facilities called Soldiers’ Homes popped
up around the country, but these were not federally funded. Soldiers’ homes couldn’t provide care for everyone, and the debate over federal support for veterans began anew.
Finally, after soldiers returned home from WWI, Americans were willing to support a federally funded health care system for veterans. Congress began investing in soldiers’ rehabilitation, and, in 1930 they established the Veteran’s Administration. Congress also promised bonuses to veterans of WWI that could be redeemed after 1945, but the Great Depression caused many veterans to try and cash in on their bonuses early, to no avail. As WWII began and the public became more aware of veterans’ challenges, President Franklin Roosevelt expanded veterans’ benefits. The Department of Veteran Affairs is still trying to figure out how to best serve America’s veterans, but if history is any indicator, benefits will hopefully improve with time.
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IMPOSSIBLY SILKY MASHED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
• 4 Ibs. medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved • 6 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 1/2 cup heavy cream • Kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. In a stockpot or large saucepan, submerge potatoes in just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, add 2 tbsp of salt, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Drain potatoes and let cool for 3 minutes. 3. Using a ricer, grate potatoes into the original saucepan over medium heat. 4. With a wooden spoon, stir potatoes until they begin to stick to pan and steam, about 2 minutes. 5. Add butter in four equal batches, stirring constantly and adding each batch only once the last has been fully incorporated into the saucepan. 6. Stir in cream, season liberally with salt, and serve immediately.
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