Talk is cheap.
Time for action.
Dub
Posted on 01/23/2005 11:40:24 AM PST by rightalien
It’s so easy to say you support the troops, regardless of which side you come down on in the issue of the War in Iraq itself. Yeah, you can send care packages and put yellow ribbon magnets on your car to make you feel all warm and fuzzy that you’re doing your own small part. You can do as I do and use forums such as this one to expound the viewpoint of the folks we send in harm’s way, hoping that someway, somehow, someone who can make a difference may read your rant and actually do that something that makes a difference.
But right now, folks, we have a rare opportunity, a seldom-held power for ordinary citizens, to actually do something for the troops that will bring them more comfort than any supportive letters or boxes of cookies and candy ever possibly could. You see, right now we have the ability to provide them with comfort of mind, to lift a mental and emotional burden that they all carry with them when they enter any theater of combat. We hold in our collective hands the ability to grant them assurance that should the worst befall them, we, their grateful nation, will provide for their loved ones in a manner that will approximate what they would have provided in the normal course of their lives.
Under current law, Uncle Sam is a rather parsimonious patron when it comes to providing for the families of fallen warriors. For example, when an American is killed in combat, the surviving spouse receives a one-time death gratuity of $12,400. Service Member's Group Life Insurance coverage (SGLI) up to $250,000 is available for those service members who can afford to pay the premiums. If the fallen trooper has been in service for an extended period of time, the surviving family may also qualify for the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), which is paid up to age 62 or until the spouse remarries. This SBP benefit is limited to 55 percent of the soldier's retirement pay, in the pay grade at the time of death. With so many combat deaths occurring among the youngest service members, we must keep in mind that this is frequently a pay grade that actually qualifies the family for food stamps and aid for dependent children.
The annual base pay of a sergeant E-5, with six years of service is less than $30,000. With twenty years service his retirement benefit is half of that. Think for a moment what 55 percent of less than $15,000 amounts to. Think about being a young widow trying to raise small children on less than $700 a month. And for lower pay grades, which constitute the majority of combat deaths, the situation is even grimmer because most of them will not have served long enough for their families to qualify for even this miserly benefit. Even if the service member is insured to the maximum amount, an unlikelihood for younger troops, think about how little $250,000 amounts to over the twenty-plus years required to raise and educate children in today’s world.
Now think about the benefits conferred by our government on the survivors of 9/11. Yes, think about it long and hard: millions awarded to families because their loved one happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Millions handed to them not because their loved one had volunteered for the hard service of fighting in combat, but had simply shown up for work. Tell me, America: where’s the justice in this situation?
Fortunately, there are some in government who have taken notice of this gross injustice and are preparing to attempt a legislative correction long overdue. Senator Joe Lieberman, D-CT, and Senator Jeff Sessions, R-AL, are scheduled to introduce the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (HEROES) Act on January 24th. This legislation will increase the benefit paid to the survivors of military personnel killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and future conflicts, from $12,400 to $100,000, retroactive to October 2001. The benefit for non-combat deaths will remain at $12,400. The Act will raise SGLI Insurance coverage from $250,000 to $400,000, with the government paying the premiums for the first $150,000 for military personnel serving in a combat zone, also retroactive to October 2001.
So you say you support the troops? Then as soon as you finish reading this, start hammering that keyboard and let your two senators and your congressman know that you expect no less than their full support for early passage of the HEROES Act. To a person, they all swear they support the troops, regardless of party affiliation or individual positions on the war. Let them know, their future electoral efforts will, in your mind, be dependent upon their actions on behalf of those troops and those families who have given that “last full measure of devotion,” to their nation.
Want a place to start? For a list of sites with congressional contacts, go here:
Get off your butts, America and show you really do support the troops.
Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66
They also need to setup a place with HUGE warehouse storage that's fully computerized.
I'm thinking back to the articles about Walter Reed hosp in DC and Landsduhl in Germany requesting that people stop sending things for the troops because they don't have the storage space for it. If people are willing to give, then their efforts shouldnt be squandered. The families can certainly use bins of phone cards, 2000 jackets from one company alone, sneakers and on and on and on that people have voluntarily donated for our troops.
If we can provide these things from the goodness of our heart, then the least the Pentagon can do is to create a central commissary place that has the capacity to store and organize this kind of donations for the families of our soldiers.
It's the LEAST we can do!
Godspeed and God Bless our TROOPS!
Thankee :)
When I was in every soldier had SGLI. They are told to join.
It only cost a few dollers each month.
I'm not saying the current death benefits are a non-issue....it's just not as bad as it is made out to be.
Thanks.
Thanks for the heads up America's Resolve!
Thanks MUCHO! Appreciate the pings! :)
The good news is that he is considered the most vulnerable Senator in the '06 election cycle. I'd sure like to see another Senator Kennedy (Mark) that isn't a drunken lieberal
BTTT!!!!!!
"Senator Joe Lieberman, D-CT, and Senator Jeff Sessions, R-AL, are scheduled to introduce the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (HEROES) Act on January 24th. This legislation will increase the benefit paid to the survivors of military personnel killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and future conflicts, from $12,400 to $100,000, retroactive to October 2001"
Thanks. This is something I can do.
Good article - linked to it here:
Liberating Iraq - http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com
Off topic for the Aviation Ping List, but worthy of your time.
Ping!
Ping
I'm sure my Senators here in Georgia are up to the task but I'll bump the thread.
hey! have you heard from brother? Mom and Dad said he may have to go back in 2 weeks... fyi
??????? T'aint heard nuthin'.
Thanks for the ping!!
This is Wonderful News! Thank you, Your Honor, and Mojo for the Pings! Firing off my E-Mails as soon as I hit the Post Button!
Talk is cheap.
Time for action.
Dub
Good stuff ~ thanks for posting this rightalien
and for the ping Mojo!
Thanks for the ping Mayor.
Don't just sit there PING
(Hope this gets as many posts as the Johnny Carson thread)
Pings
Will do it this afternoon.
Thanks for the ping Tonk.
I'm reminded of the scene in the Battle of the Bulge Movie (?) where the german general used a cake, captured from a US soldier to show his officers that the enemy they were up against had the logistics, fuel and manpower to send "cake" to their troops and it was still fresh all the way from America.
bttt
This country can afford to take care of the people who are preserving its liberty and freedoms at the cost of their lives, or worse yet, maiming for life, better than it does.
heck! At worse, the Congress-critters can just give up a few of their pork projects and this would be a done deal! :)
Godspeed
Total agreement here, Tonk. SGLI was a pittance 35 yrs ago. It's the same now.
Don't just sit there ~ Bump!
BTTT
sending emails!!
BUMP!!
BTTT!!!!!!
Bump!
Emailed my 2 senators....
Dear Senator xxx,
I am a citizen in your district who has a brother who has servied in Iraq. Senator Joe Lieberman, D-CT, and Senator Jeff Sessions, R-AL, are scheduled to introduce the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (HEROES) Act on January 24th. This legislation will increase the benefit paid to the survivors of military personnel killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and future conflicts, from $12,400 to $100,000, retroactive to October 2001. The benefit for non-combat deaths will remain at $12,400. The Act will raise SGLI Insurance coverage from $250,000 to $400,000, with the government paying the premiums for the first $150,000 for military personnel serving in a combat zone, also retroactive to October 2001.
I am writing to ask that you support this measure when it comes to the Senate floor. Our heroes in the military deserve no less - let's put our money where our mouths are!
Thank you!
My name here
I never did believe the survivors of World Trade Center victems, should have recieved such outlandish benefits that one member of the NYC fire Dept, divorced his own family in order to marry the wife of a newly rich widow of a 911 victem.
I believe everyone who donated to the cause of survivors of WTC victems, intended that they be helped through the hard times until they could get their lives together and move on. Who of the generous donors of modest means ever dreamed that between tax funded handouts and private contributions, the survivors would each become rich?
The same scenerio is repeating itself in the aid to survivors of the Tsumani, and it should be headed off at the pass. Funds in excess of temporary and humane assistance for survivors of popular and conscience stirring disasters, should be put away in some safe place, for assisting victems and survivors of the never ending, disasters that humanity confronts everyday.
For anyone who's getting this more than once, I apologize. This is easy - let's all email our senators and get this going!!
LET'S ROLL!!!
I agree.... just some thoughts , ideas from me but a member of the US military that is killed on active duty should know that their children and spouse will be taken care of . With free college for their spouse and children, and a minimum one time 500K taxfree along with the troops continued pay and benefits for one calendar year from the date of the death would give the spouse and children good security and a step up in life.
As to those disabled-handicapped from combat related injuries......medical , education , pay and benefits for the rest of their lives with a cash payment large enough to build a ADA grade dwelling for the troop.
If we can stop all but estential foreign aid, quit trying to save the world while we lose America we can easily provide for our nations best.....
Just my opinion of course.....
Roger that ~ Let's Roll!
And mine, pard.
Tonkin, would you be able to give it a special thread and ping all those on your list? Thanks.......Spunky
Prayer request from:
Captain Lyle Shackelford
Battalion Chaplain HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion
As a transportation battalion, my unit will be delivering the voting machines and the ballots to villages and cities throughout Iraq during the upcoming elections. (January 30/31) Our convoys are prime targets for the insurgents because they do not want the equipment to arrive at the polling stations nor do they want the local Iraqi citizens to have the chance to vote; timely delivery must occur so that the elections occur. Encourage your friends and family members and those within our churches to pray specifically for the electoral process. Historically, the previous totalitarian regime would not allow individual citizens to vote. Democracy will not be realized in Iraq if intelligent and competent officials are not elected to those strategic leadership positions within the emerging government; freedom will not have an opportunity to ring throughout this country if the voting process fails.
Announce this prayer request to your contacts throughout your churches, neighborhoods, and places of business. Those with leadership roles within the local church post this message in as many newsletters and bulletins as possible. There is unlimited potential for God's presence in this process but if we do not pray then our enemy will prevail (See Ephesians 6:10-17)
A prayer vigil prior to the end of the month may be an innovative opportunity for those within your sphere of influence to pray. This is a political battle that needs spiritual intervention. A powerful story about God's intervention in the lives of David's mighty men is recorded in 2 Samuel 23:8-33. David and his warriors were victorious because of God's intervention. We want to overcome those who would stand in the way of freedom. David's mighty men triumphed over incredible odds and stood their ground and were victorious over the enemies of Israel. (Iraqi insurgents' vs God's praying people). They don't stand a chance.
I will pray with my soldiers before they leave on their convoys and move outside our installation gates here at Tallil. My soldiers are at the nerve center of the logistic operation to deliver the voting machines and election ballots. They will be driving to and entering the arena of the enemy. This is not a game for them; it is a historical mission that is extremely dangerous. No voting machines or ballots. No elections. Your prayer support and God's intervention are needed to give democracy a chance in this war torn country. Thank you for reading this e-mail. Please give this e-mail a wide dissemination.
Thank you for your prayer support for me and my family.
Stand firm in your battles. Blessings,
Lyle Captain Lyle Shackelford
Battalion Chaplain
HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion
Providing With Mobility "Keep Em Moving"
vernon.lyle.shackelford@us.army.mil
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
Aeronaut, no worries about "off topic". This is important, and deserves our attention and follow-through.
Thanks muchly for the Ping! - Seaplaner
bump!
Thanks Mayor.
What got me was a couple of threads like this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318653/posts
We need a centralized location here in the states where donations like this can be set up to service not only service members, but their families while they're overseas as well. Donations of items and money.
It seems ridiculous to tell people not to donate to 2 hospitals when there are hundreds of thousands of families, not to mention VA hospitals in every state in the country that could REALLY use things like this.
If the American people can fill up a warehouse in Germany, they can fillup a few of them here as well I'm thinking.
i added such a suggestion to my emails. Semt mails to about half the senators, armed services committee, appropriations, finance and the like.
When our troops are living in a mudhole to keep us free, a few emails doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice at all!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
