U.S. Sen. James Webb, a Virginia Democrat and Vietnam combat veteran, is championing legislation to improve college tuition benefits for those who volunteer to serve their country in the U.S. military. Under his proposal, today's veterans would get roughly the same benefits offered those who served during World War II.

"For all who have been saying that this is the newest 'Greatest Generation,' " Webb argues, "this is the easiest way for us to prove that."

Webb's approach has won support from members of both parties, with 57 senators and 292 congressmen —- including 89 House Republicans —- as co-sponsors.

However, the bill is opposed by Republican leadership in Congress, by GOP presidential nominee John McCain and by President Bush on grounds that it is too generous and could hurt re-enlistments.

(Five of Georgia's six Democratic congressmen have signed to co-sponsor the bill; U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon is the lone Democrat who has not. None of Georgia's seven GOP congressmen or two GOP senators are co-sponsors.)

The Webb bill would cover college tuition costs for a veteran up to the cost of the most expensive public college in his or her state; any veteran who had served at least three years of active duty since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 would be eligible.

In a letter to McCain, Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested that offering major educational assistance to those who serve only one four-year enlistment is too generous. The Pentagon fears that the promise of a college education might discourage service personnel from re-enlisting.

However, as Webb and others point out, up to 75 percent of soldiers and Marines already return to civilian life after their first enlistment. Those who "re-up" are probably committed to a military career, where they could get tuition assistance from the military while on active duty.

Our men and women in uniform —- less than 1 percent of the American population —- bear a vastly disproportionate share of the burden of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Giving them the chance to earn a college degree is not too great a reward for that service.

—- Jay Bookman, for the editorial board (jbookman@ajc.com)