President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of November 3 at the Presidential Office with Duane J. Miskulin, National Commander of the American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam (AMVETS), and Patty A. Piening, National President of AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary. The president, on behalf of the government of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a cordial welcome to the visitors and their spouses.
The president remarked that the ROC and American veterans communities have long maintained close interaction. President Ma commented that last year he met with former AMVETS National Commander John Hapner and former AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary National President Charlene Kee. He said that he is delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the two current leaders of the organizations. President Ma furthermore said that the ROC's Veterans Affairs Commission and AMVETS have maintained a brotherhood arrangement for over 20 years, enjoying a strong relationship. Both sides have consistently exhibited friendly and close interaction. When AMVETS holds its annual national convention, the ROC national anthem is played and flag is raised. It is as if the two countries still maintain diplomatic relations, he said, adding that the organization's friends in Taiwan deeply appreciate these gestures.
President Ma explained that veterans here are referred to in Chinese as "citizens of honor." This reflects the respect that the nation has for these citizens who have devoted and sacrificed themselves to the nation on the battleground. The president said the government has looked to the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a model in its implementation here in Taiwan of a series of policies designed to care for the employment, educational, medical, and living assistance needs of veterans. At the same time, when the government moves in the future to introduce a voluntary military service system, veterans will have access to benefits similar to those provided under the Montgomery GI Bill system. The percentage of voluntary recruits, which currently stands at 60%, will rise to 70% next year, making voluntary forces the mainstay of national defense. President Ma said the government's intension in instituting this system is to further hone the quality of the military and develop a modern "small but elite" national military.
The president noted that US President Barack Obama recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. This signifies that the Nobel Committee thinks highly of President Obama's efforts to contribute to world peace and hopes that the international community will realize the importance of promoting peace. President Ma said that since taking office, he has been aggressive in his efforts to improve cross-strait relations. This has resulted in a significant reduction in cross-strait tension and danger, thereby enabling a more secure Asia-Pacific region. The president said the United States, Japan, and the European Union have expressed full support for the approach adopted by the ROC, and this has given Taiwan even more confidence to continue to promote peace between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The guests expressed their appreciation to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with them. They said that on this visit to Taiwan they made a tour of the offshore island of Kinmen and made arrangements to visit hospitals and medical facilities for veterans. They said that the care provided to the nation's veterans made a deep impression on them. They added that in the future their respective organizations will continue to provide the greatest levels of support and encouragement to the ROC.