Something Everyone Should Know ( Archived) (27)

Before I type this, I want everyone to know:

I just lost one of the strongest and bravest friends I ever knew two weeks ago.
I am not downplaying 9-11. I think those people are entitled to FAIR compensation, but our servicemen and women are too. I served my country proudly, so YES I do have the right to speak about this. Also, there ARE OPINIONS in this Thread.

MY SOAPBOX

I think the vast differences in compensation between the victims of the September 11th casualty, and those who die serving our country in uniform, are profound. No one is really talking about it either because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11th. Well, I just can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement and mentality of this country. Plus, I don’t give a f*ck about political correctness.
If you lost a family member in the September 11th attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million. If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt. If you are the spouse of a two-tour Vietnam Veteran, who received the Purple Heart, came home and died at age 54, you get nothing but a free headstone. (Trust me, I know, and so does my mom) Keep in mind that some of the people that are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million from 9-11 are complaining that it's not enough. I also learned a few months back that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11th families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well. You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part of over fifty years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad.

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." --Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.

Every time when a pay raise comes up for the military they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now my brothers and sisters in arms are in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low rent housing. However our own U.S. Congress just voted themselves a raise, and many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one-time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month and most are now equal to be millionaires plus. They also do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system. If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7 you may receive a TAXABLE pension of $1,000 to $1,500 per month, and the very people who placed you in harms way receive a pension of $15,000 per month. I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join the ranks before they start cutting out our benefits and lowering the pay of my fellow Shipmates, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen who are now fighting.
For You HM2

I agree 100% as a vet and a member of the American Legion.

Thanks D........I hope everyone here reads this. Especially the current and prior military members.

I agree too... my son and his wife are both in the army and trying to suppoort their family of 4 on their pay... its terrible...

It's the same in Central Maine.


Men and women join the National Guard to make money for their families, because there are few jobs where ther is not tourism in Maine.

They get sent overseas as combat units or combat support units.

National Guard used to be a weekend thing.

Now it's a trip to a combat zone.



Families here wait and pray

If you look at my pic you'll see I proudly wear the vet tag and POW

Well hopefully you will get more than what my Step-Dad got when he died........

Absolutely ridiculous to be treated that way...................