The Missouri Veterans Commission estimates upwards of 1,200 returning State National Guardsmen could need some kind of medical assistance after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s in addition to the regular, active-duty vets returning to Missouri after their time is up. The Commission’s Deputy Director Hal Dulle says the numbers could overwhelm already overstrapped veterans hospitals in the state. Dulle says state lawmakers have started looking into what can be done to help returning vets. Dulle worries that the nature of National Guard service could end up shorting this state’s Guardsmen when it comes to benefits compared to their active-duty counterparts.
