August 3, 2009 - President Obama kicked off a new education benefit program for military veterans Monday with a tribute to American troops who have fought for their country since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a blast at Wall Street financiers who spent that time trying to turn "the quick buck."

Mr. Obama traveled to George Mason University in the Virginia suburbs of Washington to mark the start of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which will pay college tuition for those who have served in the armed forces since the attacks on New York and Washington eight years ago. But he also used the opportunity to take a swipe at the financial industry and, by implication, the Bush era.

"We have lived through an age when many people and institutions have acted irresponsibly - when service often took a back seat to short-term profits, when hard choices were put aside for somebody else, for some other time," Mr. Obama said. "It's a time when easy distractions became the norm, and the trivial has been taken too seriously."

He added: "The men and women who have served since 9/11 tell us a different story. While so many were reaching for the quick buck, they were heading out on patrol."

The new program, co-sponsored by Mr. Obama when he was a senator, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush last year, but only took effect on Saturday. Intended to replicate the G.I. Bill that educated 8 million veterans after World War II, the program pays for undergraduate education for anyone who has served at least 90 days in the military since Sept. 11, 2001.

Those who have served 36 months or more will be eligible for tuition and fees equal to the maximum in-state rate charged by public universities in their state, as well as a monthly housing stipend and up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. Those who have served less than that will have the benefit pro-rated. The benefit passes to the children of those slain in the line of duty. Troops who have served at least six years and sign up for another four years can also pass it to their children.

"Education is the currency that can purchase success in the 21st century and this is the opportunity that our troops have earned," Mr. Obama said. He noted that among the beneficiaries of the original G.I. Bill was his grandfather, who fought in Europe. "I would not be standing here today if that opportunity had not led him west," the president said.

Introducing Mr. Obama at the event was Staff Sgt. James Miller, who will start at George Mason in the fall. Also joining the president were Senator James H. Webb, a Democrat of Virginia and Vietnam veteran who sponsored the legislation; Secretary Eric K. Shinseki of the Veterans Affairs Department, who lost part of his foot in Vietnam; and former Senator John W. Warner, a Republican of Virginia and World War II veteran who benefited from the original G.I. Bill.

The New York Times