Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Families of fallen U.S. troops to get death benefits amid shutdown
Source: Reuters
Families of fallen U.S. troops to get death benefits amid shutdown
WASHINGTON | Wed Oct 9, 2013 3:16pm EDT
(Reuters) - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Wednesday families of troops who die during the government shutdown will receive a death benefit payment, despite legal restrictions on the Pentagon, thanks to a deal reached with a private charity.
Hagel made the announcement in a statement after attending a ceremony honoring the return to the United States of the bodies of four soldiers killed by insurgents in Afghanistan on Sunday. The Pentagon was unable to pay the $100,000 "death gratuity" to those families during the shutdown.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart and David Alexander; Editing by Sandra Maler)
WASHINGTON | Wed Oct 9, 2013 3:16pm EDT
(Reuters) - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Wednesday families of troops who die during the government shutdown will receive a death benefit payment, despite legal restrictions on the Pentagon, thanks to a deal reached with a private charity.
Hagel made the announcement in a statement after attending a ceremony honoring the return to the United States of the bodies of four soldiers killed by insurgents in Afghanistan on Sunday. The Pentagon was unable to pay the $100,000 "death gratuity" to those families during the shutdown.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart and David Alexander; Editing by Sandra Maler)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/09/us-usa-fiscal-troops-benefits-idUSBRE99811N20131009