In debt to his country : Iraq veteran gets bill after injury discharge

[True_Blue]

Tyler McWilliams thought he'd retire from the Army when he enlisted for a six-year commitment as a reservist during his junior year in high school.

He spent the summer break of that year sweating it out in basic training. Four days after receiving his diploma, the 2000 Moffat County High School graduate officially was inducted. He later served as a heavy equipment operator in the 244th Engineer Battalion under Hayden's Staff Sgt. Mark Lawton, who was killed when the convoy he and McWilliams were traveling in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade north of As Suaydat, Iraq.

McWilliams can still point out the places on his arms and face where shrapnel from that attack is lodged.

McWilliams carries the scars of battle and three years of service in Iraq, but he came away from the experience with something more -- a bill from the Defense Department for more than $3,000 and 30 days to pay it.

more....
http://www.craigdailypress.com/section/frontpage_lead/story/15670

[LynnTheDem]

1. PURPLE HEART BANDAID!!!

Stop WHINING! These soldiers, always WHINING!

They knew what they signed up for!

bush needs 23 new helicopters for $60 billion, and a new yacht, and $50 million parties, so stop being so SELFISH!


*sarcasm for the brain-impaired*

[purduejake]

2. When will soldiers realize...

that the leadership of this country doesn't care about them? I know a number of them do, but WTF?

[saigon68]

3. "Used up--- Thrown Away"

Hey "boy", pay your bill.

Garcon, more champagne for the "contractors" they've had a hard day killing RAG-HEADS.

[Karenina]

4. The ABUSE on every level

to which military personnel is subjected is STUNNING.

[Mandate My Ass]

5. Insult meet injury

<snip>

Although McWilliams never wanted to be released from the Army, he said the move disqualified him from educational assistance through the GI Bill that he was promised. He also said he was underpaid for three years in the Army. McWilliams said he received pay for private status while in Iraq, though his rank was a specialist. It's a difference of about $500 a month, he said.

And, it's probably why the bill from the Army for $3,100 that the couple received in late December "for overpayment" came as such a shock. Because McWilliams is a full-time student, the couple can defer payment until he graduates.

[dbt]

6. SOMEBODY needs to burn in Hell for this!

I don't want to hear another fucking word about "supporting our troops" until the goverment actually starts doing so!

:grr:
dbt

[durablend]

8. Good luck on that...

Hope you're not holding your breath waiting for that to happen.

[katinmn]

7. Yellow ribbon: "Support the Dupes"

It's an awful way to treat these guys....

[oneold1-4u]

9. Take them in!

We must take them into our hearts when they die. We must take them into our hands, homes, and lives as they return, most injured in some way by the horrible cruelty of this day. If there is still any form of existing government in the US in the years ahead, it will not be able to support them or many of us, (SS or pensioners).
Many stories of the past, (1910-40) should be written and portrayed for the youth (under 50) to know about the jungles in this nation that the hopeless, disabled, sick, children, women, hungry and unfortunate had to exist in for long periods, because there wasn't a choice.
A government, then scraped the bottom of the barrel to give aid and bring a 5 cent loaf of bread to some tables. The barrel today has no bottom. It is still being "blown away"!
It needs to be done and I may not have enough time left but will sure start an outline for someone from many memories first hand.
The strength of this nation can return when those with least, are willing to give most. One will live free forever knowing "love".