CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley T. Iakopo on Friday called on lawmakers to assist disabled veterans of Northern Marianas descent or NMD by amending Public Law 14-21.
“Many of our NMD veterans have been gone for many years protecting our freedom, but when they return home, they find themselves in a predicament with no home, and no land. So, they end up staying with families or [renting] that can take a long period of time. The transition from military service to civilian life can be challenging for many veterans and their families especially those [who are] returning home,” he said.
Iakopo said it is only appropriate that the CNMI honor NMD disabled veterans who have sacrificed so much through their service.
“The least we could do for them is to make their lives easier by amending P.L. 14-21 to show our sincere appreciation,” he added.
Public Law 14-21, otherwise known as the “Military Service Homestead Act of 2004,” aims to ensure that the homestead permits of homesteaders serving in the United States armed forces are not revoked while the homesteader is on active duty.
Iakopo is proposing that lawmakers revisit this law to give NMD disabled veterans first priority on the waiting list for homestead lots.
“I implore that NMD disabled veterans be given first priority and not be waitlisted in getting their homestead,” he added.
He also proposed that to qualify for this benefit, the NMD disabled veteran must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces as indicated by the U.S. Department of Defense form DD214 or other official military discharge papers, and must be certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having a service-connected disability with a disability rating of 70% or higher.
