It has become commonplace in antiwar rhetoric throughout the United States to make it clear that opposition to the war in Iraq does not signify opposition to the thousands of men and women serving in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. The shameful mistake of blaming the troops for the political errors of our nation’s leaders, as happened during the Vietnam war, must not be repeated today. But the question for me is how much reality there is behind the constant statements we hear that, we as a nation, want to do all we can to support our military personnel.

Certainly, the shocking revelations about the poor housing provided to wounded men and women at Walter Reed Hospital and some other medical facilities gives cause for concern. Recently, regulations were adopted to put an end to the on-base solicitation of military personnel by unscrupulous insurance salespeople.

What I have not heard frequently discussed, however, is how our country is going to support our troops and their families when they return at last after our involvement in Iraq is significantly reduced. One of the great failures of our war in Iraq was the failure to plan adequately for the aftermath of Saddam’s defeat. It would be terrible, indeed, if we also fail to plan for the return of our troops.

This has been a difficult war for Americans and our military, and their families have suffered more than anyone. National Guard and Reserve units have been activated and served longer than ever before. Lives have been disrupted. Because of medical advances, many troops have survived wounds which would have killed them in past wars, but survival is not and will not be easy.

Many are severely disabled. Families have suffered great financial losses as a result of extended and multiple tours of duty. For many, long-term financial well-being will not be possible without help. Now is the time when we at home must plan for the troops’ return.

In a recent column, the financial pundit Ben Stein suggested that returning troops should be free of federal income tax for five years after they return to the United States. In my opinion, that’s an excellent idea. I also think Congress should consider enacting comprehensive military family health care legislation that would guarantee health care not only for veterans but their families as well, at least until the veterans have re-established themselves financially at home.

Certainly, Congress should consider whether disability payments made to wounded veterans are adequate. In the past, they have not been, and many wounded veterans of the Iraq war will be severely disabled for life and unable to work. We provided large sums of money for the families of those murdered on 9/11. Should we not do the same for the men and women who served their country in the aftermath of 9/11 and were killed or wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Finally, I think the individual states also must step up and plan to help our returning veterans and their families. Kansas is a state with a large military presence. The military bases support our economy. We should support those who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. In my opinion, the Kansas Legislature should consider in what ways this can best be accomplished. Perhaps Kansas could provide income tax relief for returning troops. Many of those returning own homes. How expensive would it be to provide property tax relief to them? What about free tuition at state institutions for them and their families?

If we really mean what we say when we talk about supporting our troops, then we should do everything we can do to help them, including when they return. To do otherwise would be a betrayal and hypocrisy. I hope that as a nation and as a state we’re better than that.