More benefits for veterans mulled

State legislators want to help out members of the military.

Several bills filed so far this session would give extra benefits to members of the military:

* Tour the battleship U.S.S. North Carolina without paying for a ticket;

* Get credit for law enforcement training if they served in the military police;

* Waive the commercial drivers test if they operated heavy machinery in the military;

* Renew drivers licenses early or late if they are deployed overseas;

* Receive bigger disability benefits;

* Visit state museums for free;

* Receive free parking with a license plate for partially disabled veterans;

* Get in-state tuition for their dependents if they are killed on duty while assigned to North Carolina; and

* Visit state parks for free if they are disabled veterans.

In addition, other bills would fund military family assistance centers, create an N.C. Korean War Veterans Memorial in Mint Hill and run military business centers at state community colleges.

Another bill would allow members of the N.C. National Guard to study at state community colleges for free.