VETS: Problems with the plates

Our government officials, elected representatives and even citizens in general are quick to profess that they wish to recognize, appreciate and honor our nation’s military service men and women. It is openly acknowledged that persons who have given of themselves in such service to their country are deserving of pride and recognition. However, such statements come to appear mere campaign lip service when, in application, the “honor” of recognition comes at additional direct cost to those veterans.

The Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Division of Veteran Services make available distinctive vehicle license plates identifying the owners to be U.S. military veterans. To qualify to receive these distinctive plates, a veteran must furnish a copy of their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.

These special license plates are mounted instead of the regularly issued license plates on the owners’ vehicles. They are not issued in addition to the standard plates. If the veteran already has the standard issue license plates and wishes to replace them with the special license plates, he/she is charged a $6 plate fee. In spite of this, the ITD goes on to charge an additional fee of $25 above the standard initial registration fee. Later, an additional fee of $15 is charged above the standard registration renewal fee annually for continued use.

I greatly doubt that the cost of making or issuing identifying veteran plates is any greater than that of the standard plates. Moreover, for the additional renewal fee, the veteran receives only the exact same month/year renewal sticker to mount on their plate that the non-veteran receives. Rather than bestowing honor or recognition to the U.S. military veteran, the ITD, and thereby our government representatives, are merely making those veterans pay for the privilege of displaying their personal pride. Will the state begin to give recognition or will it continue to charge for it?

Some 19 states charge just a one-time additional fee at initial issue of military/veteran recognition license plates ranging from $3 to $50. Only 10 states in the Union honorably charge nothing extra for designated military/veteran license plates. In those, Texas offers a variety of 92 different military/veteran themed plates, all at no extra cost.

ALAN FREDERICK

Coeur d’Alene