[Joann37]

Of course it is not a gift, and I certainly did not mean it in that way.

I'll use a thesaurus next time I post.

[Song of the South]

I was not quibbling about semantics, Joann. It just struck me that some may actually believe it to be a gift.

I was simply stating my opinion that our outstanding military personnel who give the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom have more than earned any compensation, adequate or not, that their survivors receive. I have profound respect and admiration for all who serve in the military. They are the best and the brightest. It never fails to bring a tear to my eye when I see the earnest faces in the pictures shown of those who have been killed.

The 9/11 widows' compensation was, indeed, a gift. It was not earned, and was not purchased in the form of an insurance policy. I feel slightly differently about the compensation for fire and police personnel.

 

SoS