4 July 2009

Letter to the editor: SSVC closure a denial of benefits

Public Opinion Online

Over 114 years, Scotland School for Veterans' Children has been home to more than 10,000 children. Were it not for the school, many of us would not have had the quality education we received or have found teachers and staff who cared so much for us and helped us become the decent, contributing, taxpaying citizens that we are today.

Scotland School does today exactly what it did during the Civil War -- educates children of veterans in a safe, nurturing environment. To look only at the cost (overstated by the governor's administration) of placing a child at SSVC and not at the price our fathers, mothers and other relatives paid for their service to our country is a great disservice to our veterans.

With wars on two fronts and Pennsylvania sending one of the largest contingents of citizens to serve, there is now, and will continue to be, a greater need for the benefits Scotland School provides.

If during the great depression Gov. Gifford Pinchot could find the dollars needed to keep the school open, surely our state legislators can find funds to operate SSVC today.

From the time of the Civil War to February of this year, Pennsylvania governors and legislators have been committed to the children of those who leave their families and put their own lives in harm's way. Surely we still owe Pennsylvania's children as much today and owe no less to our veterans.

We ask each legislator to find a way to fund SSVC and honor the legacy of past governors and legislators, and not deny another benefit to Pennsylvania's veterans. In short, please save our school!

James A. Lowe, SSVC Class of 1970

3 July 2009