Death Gratuity Proposal Good First Step, DoD Should Expand Efforts to Include all Soldiers
Death Gratuity Proposal Good First Step, DoD Should Expand Efforts to Include all Soldiers
2/1/2005
WASHINGTON, DC (2/1) Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) applauded the proposal by the Department of Defense to expand the death gratuity to $100,000 and increase the amount of life insurance as a good first step but warned more work needs to be done to include all soldiers.
"West Virginia's Guard, Reservists and military personnel are called to serve at outposts around the globe in combat and non-combat situations," noted Capito. "Each soldier chose to serve; they did not choose where to serve. I believe their missions are critical to the defense of our nation and the American people want a soldier's sacrifice recognized with the same honors and distinctions no matter where they are serving when killed in the line of duty."
Capito noted a West Virginia unit is deployed right now in a non-combat zone as an example of soldiers who would not be covered by the proposed death gratuity and life insurance expansion.
"Right now, the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 based in Huntington, WV, is headed to Iraq to support re-construction efforts. However, the 146th Medical Company based in Williamstown is currently serving in a non-combat situation in Kosovo while the 1863rd Transportation Company performed non-combat service when they provided security for all West Virginia Airports immediately after 9/11."
Capito represents West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District which is home to the 130th Airlift Wing based in Charleston, the 167th Airlift Wing based in Martinsburg, as well as numerous Military Police, Battery, Engineer and Maintenance Units of the Army National Guard.
Capito is an original supporter of the "Military Death Benefit Improvement Act of 2005,"which will increase the one time tax-free payment families receive after a service member's death from $12,000 to $100,000.
Capito added, "While it is certain that no amount of money can ever replace the loss of a loved one, the increased benefit could provide a college education for a child or help make the mortgage payment."
http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=49&whichone=pr