Form Letter in Support of the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032)
It's usual to have something positive to write about, but there is bipartisan legislation that would eliminate some restrictions for disabled veterans. Currently, veterans rated with a 40% disability rating or lower cannot simultaneously receive their military retirement pay after 20 years of service and VA disability compensation. This bill would remove this unfair practice. I've drafted a form letter that can be easily copied and pasted. Below the letter, I've included instructions on finding and contacting your Senators and Congressional Representatives.
Dear Representative/Senator Last Name,
I am writing to urge your support for the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 in the House and S. 1032 in the Senate). This bipartisan legislation is essential to ensuring that our nation’s combat-injured veterans receive the full benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice.
Under current law, veterans who were medically retired due to combat-related injuries and who served fewer than 20 years face an unfair offset: their military retirement pay is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of their VA disability compensation. This policy denies over 50,000 combat-injured veterans the full financial support they deserve, often resulting in significant hardship for those who have already sacrificed so much for our country.
The Major Richard Star Act would correct this longstanding injustice by allowing eligible veterans to receive both their full Department of Defense retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation, without reduction. This change recognizes that military retired pay and disability compensation are fundamentally different benefits—one earned through years of service, the other through wounds sustained in service.
The bill has broad bipartisan support and is endorsed by numerous veterans’ organizations. Passing the Major Richard Star Act would demonstrate a strong commitment to our combat-disabled veterans and honor the legacy of Major Richard Star, who dedicated his life to advocating for his fellow service members.
I respectfully ask that you support and help advance this critical legislation. Our combat-injured veterans have earned these benefits, and it is time we ensure they receive them in full.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your City, State
How to Find and Contact Your U.S. Senator or Congressional Representative
Step 1: Identify Your Elected Officials
• Find Your U.S. Senators:
• Visit the official U.S. Senate website.
• Use the “Find Your Senators” feature, usually located in the upper right corner.
• Select your state to view your two senators, with links to their official websites and contact forms.
• Find Your U.S. House Representative:
• Go to the official U.S. House of Representatives website.
• Use the “Find Your Representative” tool, typically found in the upper right corner.
• Enter your ZIP code (and address, if needed) to see your representative, with links to their website and contact page.
• Alternative Method:
• Use the Congress.gov “Find Your Members” tool by entering your address to see both senators and representatives, with direct links to their official pages.
Step 2: Forward Your Message
• Click the link to your senator’s or representative’s official website.
• Look for a “Contact” or “Email” section—most provide a web form for constituent messages.
• Copy and paste your letter into the provided form. Fill in any required personal information (name, address, email) to verify you are a constituent.
• Submit the form.
Additional Options
• Phone: Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your senator’s or representative’s office.
• Mail: You can also send a printed letter to:
• For Senators:
The Honorable Name
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
• For Representatives:
The Honorable Name
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Tips
• Always include your full name and address to demonstrate you are a constituent.
• You may also find links to your member’s social media accounts on their official website for additional ways to reach out.
By following these steps, you can quickly locate your elected officials’ websites and forward your message regarding important legislation.
DAV Communications