God may know whether Air Force veteran Peter Barclay was really so traumatized by the death and destruction he saw at the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995 that he deserves the full support of the taxpayer until the end of his life.

However, I doubt many of his fellow Americans are as understanding ["Vet questions role of military benefits in divorce proceeding," May 20].

I suppose we should be grateful that the hundreds of first responders, FBI agents, military personnel, and others who assisted on that terrible day were made of sterner stuff.

It is just hard to believe that although 17 years have passed since Oklahoma City, the 42-year-old Barclay is taking $4,400 a month from the taxpayer, claiming he is unable to hold any sort of job or function in society.

To be sure, the woods are growing crowded with cheaters, scam artists, the terminally useless, and bums who have learned that Uncle Sam is an easy target and that being "disabled" is the new normal.

Barclay may or may not be able to function, but it is highly unlikely that all the millions of others--including recent immigrants--who have claimed disability in recent years to get a steady check are truly deserving of our sympathy and financial support. Put me down as skeptical.

Paul S. Cariker

Spotsylvania