Sir, – In the Editorial "Obama’s army" (February 28th) and in the report "America's military set to slim down" (World News, February 28th) much is said about the overall size of the US defence budget. However, these comments did not include some basic facts. A congressional budget office report on the 2013 defence budget stated $150 billion goes to salary and basic benefits (such as housing) for current and retired service members; this is 28 per cent of the base budget. $130 billion is dedicated to health care for injured, ill or disabled veterans. $48 billion is allocated for the defence department health programme for service members and their families.
The defence budget is not all about weapons systems. To a very significant degree it is concerned with providing for those individuals who voluntarily put themselves at risk in defending the nation, and for the families of such dedicated individuals. – Yours, etc.
DAN DONOVAN,
Shandon Street,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford.