General Discussion

Capt. Obvious

(9,002 posts) Tue Oct 8, 2013, 01:59 PM Oct 2013

Gov't Can't Fly Military Families To See Bodies Of Loved Ones Due To Shutdown

The families of four Americans who died in combat in Afghanistan will not be flown by the Pentagon to see the bodies of their loved ones arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Deleware due to the government shutdown, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Typically, the military pays for family members to fly to Dover to greet the bodies of loved ones arrive in the U.S., however the ongoing shutdown prevents the government from paying for those travel costs.

Department of Defense officials claimed that it was out of their control.

“If the Department was allowed to make death gratuity payments at any point during shutdown, they would’ve been paid with great relief,” a defense official told the Wall Street Journal.

Benefits for military families, which include a $100,000 death gratuity and coverage of funeral costs, will also be delayed due to the shutdown.

TPM

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Gov't Can't Fly Military Families To See Bodies Of Loved Ones Due To Shutdown (Original Post) Capt. Obvious Oct 2013 OP

When you don't want government services, you don't get government services. kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #1

Be careful what you wish for Capt. Obvious Oct 2013 #2

My cousin's Marine Corps officer husband has come right out and said that the RW family members on kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #3

I Hope That The President Jumps On This Before The Repugs Try To Take Advantage Of This.... global1 Oct 2013 #4

It will get worse RazzleCat Oct 2013 #5

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)

1. When you don't want government services, you don't get government services.

Reply to Capt. Obvious (Original post)

Tue Oct 8, 2013, 02:06 PM

Oct 2013

I hope the many military family members who voted for teabaggers now understand that voting has consequences.

I am not gloating. I am not enjoying anyone's pain. But it is time for these people to grow up (the ones who support teabaggers and obstructionists) and realize that words have meaning.

Capt. Obvious

(9,002 posts)

2. Be careful what you wish for

Reply to kestrel91316 (Reply #1)

Tue Oct 8, 2013, 02:09 PM

Oct 2013

Many people blame Obama for the shutdown - and you can bet Fox will be leading with this story.

Sure, more blame Republicans, but Obama isn't far behind.

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)

3. My cousin's Marine Corps officer husband has come right out and said that the RW family members on

Reply to Capt. Obvious (Reply #2)

Tue Oct 8, 2013, 02:15 PM

Oct 2013

FB are wrongheaded to blame his CiC for the shutdown. He and my cousin are good liberal Dems.

global1

(25,251 posts)

4. I Hope That The President Jumps On This Before The Repugs Try To Take Advantage Of This....

Reply to Capt. Obvious (Original post)

Tue Oct 8, 2013, 02:15 PM

Oct 2013

and turn it around on the President and the Dems.

RazzleCat

(732 posts)

5. It will get worse

Reply to Capt. Obvious (Original post)

Tue Oct 8, 2013, 06:55 PM

Oct 2013

NCA will be going in to furloughs after October 15th, so in the near future you may face no burials in National Cemetery's. Currently they are hoping to be able to keep enough workers to continue to honor our veterans, but it will become much more difficult for families to schedule around what staff is left.

Reply to this discussion