Posted on 01/12/2005 5:19:20 PM PST by W04Man
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA) today urged Congress to do more to help the families of soldiers killed in action by raising what is called the "Death Gratuity" to $100,000. The benefit is a cash payment to the survivor of soldiers killed in battle to help them cope with their immediate needs following the loss of their loved one. Currently, families receive $12,000 under the program......
Excellent!
This is a great idea and can even be improved on. They should institute a program where they allow private donors to add to the pot.
I agree, Long overdue. This is good news. In fact, it should be retroactive.
It is fine of course, but it is ignored that the government underwrites a life policy for $350k at a cost of under $20 per month to all deployed soldiers. Might be cheaper just to pay the entire premium for them.
There is more than one way to look at this.
Yes we totally support our troops.
When they go to war they know there is the possibility they will be killed.
To pay $100K when a soldier dies , there is no amount of money that will replace that person to their loved ones. But I think that they should have the opportunity to purchase life insurance in any amount.
What about all the soldiers that have died in wars before now? Where their lives worth less. My Dad died in a war when I was young, was his life worth just $6k?
I think thats a bad idea for many reasons.
ok now go flame me.
Senator Allen said it is proposed to be retroactive for the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars.
SGLI is $250,000 for just over $16 per month...a
Flame Flame Flame... you can say what you want. I think it can start now.
But SGLI is not quick cash like this will be.
I agree.
Sen Allen is starting to run for Pres in 2008. This is a feel-good idea to win votes. Grandstanding
1) pay the troops and families more NOW when they are alive. Take their pay up 100,000 per troop over the first 10 years of their career.
2) keep funding military so we go in with superior equip and training
3) Limit the time the Guard and Reserves can be called up so these groups are not over used and decimated - unless of course there is a declared war.
Lieberman and Sessions were on Brit Hume claiming it for their own. George Allen is basically a good dude, but too much in the background to run. He would make Frist look like a rock star!
John Kyl in '08!
You get the $12,000 right away...I've been told it takes less than a month to get the $250,000.....now remember, the $250,000 is optional......Mike had a pilot in his unit in Iraq who refused the SGLI, didn't want to pay the $16 per month...he was counseled several times to take it...he was killed when his Chinook was shot down..his family only recieved the $12,000.....luckily he was not married and had no kids....
This a a government program I wholeheartedly agree with. I would rather we never had to pay it, but $12000 is only $2000 more than it was in 1968 when I was in. God Bless Senator Allen and any of our brave men whose families will receive this money.
Funny. FNC is attributing this initiative to Lieberman
Were their lives worth less? Definitely not. But should we not attempt to continuously improve the benefits given to our soldiers, in life and death, as much as our current state allows? Inflation by itself makes the $6000 dollars your father received much more than the $12000 our deceased soldiers receive today. No disrespect to your father, I am sure he served his country most honorably.
You are misinformed. SGLI max is $250K. There's another proposal to up that to a helluva lot more.
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