To The Editor:

On Tuesday- November 4, 2008- General Election Day- there will be an amendment to Article 5, Section 6 of the constitution of New York state in relation to additional civil service credit for members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

The proposed amendment would eliminate the requirement that veterans who were disabled in the actual performance of duty in any war be receiving disability payments from the United States Veterans Administration in order to qualify for additional points on a civil service examination for appointment or promotion. Under the proposed amendment, the disability must only be certified to exist by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

The proposed amendment would also update "United States Veterans Administration" to "United States Department of Veterans Affairs" to reflect current federal government structure.

The American Legion, Department of New York strongly supports this amendment and urges the voters of New York State to vote YES on this much needed benefit for our veterans. Richard M. Pedro New York State Adjutant (CEO) The American Legion Department of New York Albany