Millions Of Dollars Owed To Veterans

[sabra]

Source: wusa9

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WUSA) -- $315 Million. This is how much the Department of Defense has to give away to those who deserve it. There are approximately 87,000 military men and women who deserve it.

Eric Sharman, of Alexandria, is one of those who already got his money.

Nine years ago Sharman, who served in the U.S. Air Force, and thought he was about to be discharged, had plans. "I was supposed to start in school that January."

But right after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Sharman, serving in Germany, and just weeks from going home, was hit by what the military calls the Stop Loss Program.

...

Still, Sharman, and 145,000 troops like him, essentially had to put their lives on hold for months.

However, last October, the U.S. Congress came up with a retroactive thank you in the form of $500 for every month, or portion of a month, they had to serve.

"I wound up getting about $2,200," says Sharman.

The average payout is $3,800. But there is a catch. You have to apply for the money by December 3, 2010. The deadline used to be Oct 21; however, President Obama recently extended the deadline.

Read more: http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=114344&loc=interstitialskip

[fasttense]

1. Glad to hear the President Obama extended it.

That's supporting the troops for real. Not just slapping a Chinese made yellow ribbon magnet on the back of your SUV.

[pasto76]

2. Another +1 for President Obama! great news for my guys

the announcement of this program had a very short suspense. This was an attempt by someone to save money! Glad to see the PRESIDENT is making sure that some of the troops who were genuinely screwed can be advised of this program.

[Plucketeer]

3. I'm glad to hear of this, but...

...$500 bucks. I wonder how that squares with what Blackwater mercenaries are/were paid for duties as a result of 9/11.