With the air show, my micro-campaign for the new G.I. Bill, the discovery of the cooling-vest charity and Memorial Day, it’s been a strangely military May at the normally not-so-military Cohen household.

To learn how it came to be, you’ll have to read the posts to come this weekend, but for now, get warmed up:

Read the always-sharp Edward Humes’ fact-packed op-ed from this morning’s Los Angeles Times to learn about John McCain’s shameful record of voting against veteran’s benefits, while blowing sunshine up their fatigues. Mendacity alert: if you’re allergic to hypocrisy, the facts on McCain’s voting record may give you an angry rash.

Earlier this month the New GI Bill passed the House and the Senate with broad bi-partisan support. Of course, Bush has vowed to veto. It is so easy to use the White House comment line to let the always-political Bush Administration know that America wants this bill signed. A real human will take your call and ask you what state you’re calling from. Then, one sentence will do the job: “I am calling to urge the President to sign the New G.I. Bill.” After a polite thank you from the operator, it will all be over. Call now, because the legislation is on the way to his desk. 202-456-1111. (This takes literally 90 seconds of your time.) Learn more about the new GI Bill here.

Wondering why you should care? Click here to read a californiaauthors.com excerpt from Ed’s terrific book, Over Here: How the G.I. Bill Transformed the American Dream, and learn about how the first G.I. Bill — the one that paid for my mom to attend college after her father was killed in the Pacific in WWII — created a new American renaissance. And couldn’t we all use a little renaissance now?

More unlikely-source militaria to come.