Alabama is blessed to have a dynamic vibrant veteran culture and a strong unified veteran community. Alabama is one of the top-rated states for veterans. The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) is a model for other states, who come to learn how Alabama cares for our veterans. The people of Alabama absolutely respect and revere their veterans. Our legislators claim they do too, so hopefully they will start listening to us.

Alabama veterans returning from WWII were concerned about serving the unique needs of thousands of warriors returning from a long gruesome war. After witnessing the shortcomings after WWI, they knew there would be challenges to provide education, employment, housing, and treatment for battle-worn veterans. Literally the same challenges we still face today.

Those WWII veterans wanted to ensure Alabama met those needs and was directly accountable and responsive to Alabama veterans, so working with legislators they crafted the framework of the current ADVA and the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA). They were careful to create an agency and board that was not vulnerable to fickle political winds. The ADVA and SBVA would be apolitical and focused on veterans, because it was overseen by veterans. Since 1945, the ADVA and SBVA have been effective, so why politicize them now?!

Who better than veterans to ensure our veterans are properly cared for? Over the years, Alabama veterans service organizations have sent many devoted noble veterans to serve on the State Board of Veterans Affairs—enlisted and officer, from every service and every corner of the state, every ethnicity and race, decorated war heroes from every war and conflict, and even former prisoners of war.

With a long-distinguished record, the SBVA flexed their independence when necessary. When a legislator some years ago tried to sell some old dilapidated building to the state to use as a veterans home, it was the SBVA that rejected that ridiculous proposal. And it was the SBVA and ADVA that went on to build a sorely needed new veterans home under budget and on time! Instead of trying to remove SBVA’s authority, maybe the governor should ask for their help to build prisons.

The National Cemetery in Mobile has been full since the 1960s, so for about 40 years, veterans in south Alabama could only go to Biloxi or Pensacola for a veterans cemetery. Just over 15 years ago, south Alabama had an opportunity to build a new state veterans cemetery, but the then ADVA commissioner opposed it. The governor didn’t intervene. The legislature didn’t intervene. No political appointees came to veterans’ aid. It was the SBVA that overrode the then-commissioner and built a beautiful state veterans cemetery in Spanish Fort that has almost doubled expected use for over a decade. Now north Alabama needs a state veterans cemetery, but does it have a chance without the decision-making authority of the SBVA?

The ADVA has been highly effective in providing services to thousands of Alabama veterans, opening veteran service offices in almost every county, building that much-needed new veterans home, and working with private organizations to finally deliver sorely needed mental health services to Alabama veterans. Why? Because veterans know what veterans need. And veterans will work tirelessly to complete the mission. No excuses.

This misguided legislation will completely overhaul, perhaps the only state agency satisfying its constituents. It will abolish the SBVA and replace it with a toothless advisory committee that can only make suggestions. Why is this bill being rammed through the legislature? The Senate only had 6 minutes to read the substitute bill before they voted. What are they hiding? As Alabama veterans already know, the ADVA and SBVA are working, so what is the real reason Governor Ivey is insisting we dismantle these venerable institutions?

The fact that there has been a veterans backlash from across the state against this legislation and that veterans keep protesting in Montgomery is evidence the ADVA and SBVA are working! Because if they weren’t working, veterans would not have known about any of this. We would have just read about this bill after it passed. But the state is trying to take away the voice veterans have now! They are trying to change an agency that’s working. Lt. Governor Ainsworth nailed it: “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!”

Like our Founding Fathers who drafted the Constitution, the Alabama WWII veterans who created the ADVA and SBVA gave us lasting institutions that are effective and have successfully served Alabama veterans for 80 years, so before we do anything, the legislature should carefully and closely consult with Alabama veterans.

Veterans and some senators were deceived by the Senate substitute bill. Alabama veterans are not fooled by the meaningless superficial amendments—the bill still silences veterans. Sadly, Montgomery politicians are trying to divide veteran groups, and some have been misled by empty promises. This legislation is being rushed with little transparency. Why? Trust has been breached, so just kill the bill!

If the governor and legislature are serious about helping veterans, they should start by listening to veterans. Montgomery loves committees, so invite all the stakeholders to the table and create a working group to study the issue and make sound recommendations. But until then, they should stop trying to fix what ain’t broke!

“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you” (Rev 2:9).

Pete Riehm is a Navy Veteran, conservative activist, and columnist in south Alabama. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.