UPDATE: It’s Come To This: Denying Grieving Families Benefits

Updated 10-10-13 4pm AK Time

Just received this e-mail from IAVA – and for once it’s excellent news. 

Big news on the government shutdown. Washington is finally starting to listen.

Because Americans came together and raised hell, the families of those killed in action will get their death gratuity benefits on time and be able to travel to Dover to receive their loved one. We’re thankful to the Fisher House Foundation for stepping up and taking care of the military families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

We’ve updated our Shutdown FAQ feed on our site with today’s news and continue to update it when new information becomes available. Click here to read the updated FAQ and bookmark it so you can check in every day.

But the shutdown is still hurting veterans in many other ways. We continue to demand that Washington end the shutdown.

We’re working non-stop to make sure you have all the information you need during the shutdown. We’ll continue to keep you updated.

We’ve got your back,

— Team IAVA

_______________________________________________

This is not a sponsored post. This is just the right thing to do… something a lot of elected officials in Washington DC can’t seem to figure out.

According to the the IAVA – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America – the Pentagon is now unable to pay the ‘death gratuity‘ that is promised to families of those lost in combat.

“It’s a disgrace,” said Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in an interview with Reuters “The fact that those families have to deal with this now is just sad and shocking.”

While the IAVA stays non-partisan on this issue – I’m not. The Tea Party Republicans take photo-ops at veteran memorials around the country, complains about them being closed – never mind the whole thing is their fault. The Republicans dragged the country into their suicide-mission-shutdown and now are taking military families with them – all over allowing access to healthcare and paying our countries debts. Tell them that you don’t want any part of this hostage negotiation – call your Congressperson and Senators and tell them to vote on the budget.

Until then –

Sign the IAVA Petition at Change.org

If you can, donate to the IAVA.

Check out their website TheWaitWeCarry.org – Veterans have already been waiting for the help they were promised by America for too long. You can learn about their wait and read their stories

Photo – IAVA.org

Here’s the text of the petition. 

It’s shameful.

Since the government shutdown, five American service members have given their lives in Afghanistan. But their families will not receive their $100,000 death gratuity because of political games in Washington. Our country is failing our men and women in uniform.

With the shutdown in place for over a week now, our brave veterans and their families are being hurt in many ways.

• VA has suspended vital services.

• National Guard drills are being cancelled in many states, affecting critical troop readiness and pay.

• The Pentagon can’t pay $100,000 in death gratuity benefits to grieving families.

Yes, you heard that right. Politicians are still receiving paychecks, but our government is unable to provide the money to support to the families of warriors killed in action.

This is a very stressful time for millions of vets and their families. Sign the petition now and tell Washington to keep our veterans out of their political nonsense.

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