Law Commons^™

Recognition Long Overdue, F. Michael Higginbotham

All Faculty Scholarship

In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen, black pilots during World War II, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. While individuals have been recognized for such service, this was the first time a group had been honored. This article argues that the recognition, while late, was appropriate.

Care For Those Who Wore The Uniform, Kenneth Lasson

All Faculty Scholarship

Considerations were granted to American war veterans as far back as 1636, when the pilgrims, in the midst of an Indian insurrection, devised a special law providing rights and assistance to those who fought. Various of the early American colonies passed similar laws for disabled veterans, and by the time of the Revolution the benefits concept had been firmly established.

Said Calvin Coolidge in 1920: "The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." But such platitudes did little to solve the fragmented administration of veterans' affairs, which inevitably was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases. Thus was …