Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Denial of Death Benefits to our Fallen...

I'm pretty disgusted with our government right now. Yes, they're fighting like children, but that's not why I'm disgusted. Well, not the only reason.
They are denying death benefits to families of fallen soldiers.
Over the weekend, 5 us soldiers were killed in Helmand Province. Normally, the families of the fallen would be wired a $100,000 death gratuity within 36 hours to help with expenses. They would also be flown to Dover Air Force Base to witness the return of their family members in flag-draped coffins.
This week, instead, the families are being given IOUs, and they are not being flown to Dover. They are being left to struggle with everything on their own.
Because the Government is riddled with infighting.
I truly think this is one the most reprehensible things the government has ever done. They expect soldiers and Marines to give their lives with no expectation that their families will be taken care of.
Shameless.
I hope that this issue is resolved soon and that the families can find some kind of peace.

In lighter news, I went to the Indie Romance Convention this past weekend in Lebanon, Tennessee. I was worried that the convention would have low attendance, mostly because this was the first year for it. But I was very happily surprised at the turnout.
I was also very happily surprised at the number of Military Romance readers!
My buddy Sharon Hamilton was at the conference as well, and between the two of us, I think we were the main military force there, no pun intended.
If you ever have the chance to escape to a reader conference, I so strongly suggest you go. It's like no other experience in the world. 
Thanks for stopping in!
Jennifer


5 comments:

  1. 1st the government needs to get off their a_s and take care of the fallen families. How can our soldiers do their job if in the back of their mind is the worry about about their family
    2nd it was AWESOME meeting you and Sharon this weekend had so much fun

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  2. Well said...very well said! Stopping in to say hi and that I am so glad I met you and Sharon this weekend! Def doing that again in the near future I hope!

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  3. Ladies, thank you so much for stopping. It was REALLY good to meet you as well!

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  4. Jennifer Kim and Snoopyvet - so honored to be amongst your ranks. Now let's get that spirit of cooperation and love of our military men and women and spread it to Washington. To think that the SEALs who did their jobs this weekend will be rewarded with no pay is not something I ever thought I'd see in this country. Shameful. Thanks for bringing it up, Jenn. Love you all vets and military and their families. Words cannot express how grateful we get to live in a country that has what it has because of your sacrifices.

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  5. I'm sorry to hear about those soldiers and hope that the gov't gets it together soon! :/
    Glad you had a great turnout! :)

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