In the interests of "full disclosure" my son is in the military and this was forwarded to my email by his wife - - - -

So, there were parts of this dialogue from Rush that were complete NEWS to me, and maybe to you as well, so I'm posting it. ****************************************************

What's a Military Family Worth? by Rush Limbaugh, March 11, 2002 I think the vast differences in compensation between the victims of the September 11th casualty, and those who die serving the 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 mentality of this country. 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. Keep in mind that some of the people that are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough.

We also learned over the weekend 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 and parcel 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 the green machine is 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 pension of $1,000 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 ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting. **********************************

-- Granny Hen (cluckin along@cs.com), June 02, 2002

Answers

My father still talks about having to learn to jump out of airplanes to get an extra $30 a month in WW II.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), June 02, 2002.

Yep, it's been an education watching how US citizens treat a Reserve Officer, former Army Ranger and active-duty helicopter pilot. Impressed me a lot.

-- Don Armstrong (from Australia) (darmst@yahoo.com.au), June 02, 2002.

I knew when the Gov starteed paying people for dieing on 9/11 that it was trouble, not that dont deserve it, but why does the Gov have to pay for being in the wrong spot at the wrong time. What happened to their life insurance? And their are others just as or more deserving. The military thign is a real bug for me. I got an extra 100 a month to jump out of planes. And my disability from them, though its only a percentage, isnt much either. Don,, whos the army ranger revervist? I dont beleive you can be a ranger in the reserves

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), June 02, 2002.

Don, I assume you meant Chuck when you made that comment. He certainly has my respect for having served this country, with great valor I'm sure.

That being said, service in the military does not guarantee one from having human flaws does it? Wasn't Timothy McVey a hero in Vietnam? Didn't he have a bronze medal? Not sure, but seem to remember he was decorated.

One of the freedoms our soldiers protect is the right to lift our voice to criticize man or government. Ain't this a great country!

It is nice to see you here! !

-- Granny Hen (cluckin along@cs.com), June 02, 2002.

I read somewhere that the victims life insurance companies weren't paying out since most have (in very small print) a clause that benefits won't be paid for acts of war or terrorism. Seems a shame to pay high premiums for years and then get killed 'the wrong way' leaving families stranded with bills. My husband was injured during Vietnam, he was honorably discharged after 5 yrs in the Navy & he's not even entitled to VA medical care, sorry state of government priorities in my opinion.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), June 02, 2002.

Kathy, ALL vets are entitled to VA health care,, just may have to sit around "till they have time for you", this works if you have a VA Hospital near you,,otherwise it isnt worth it, I foudn this out during the first 3 years after my service, getting some work done that happened during the time. Tim McVey was in Dersert Storm. And I still dont beleive chuck was/is a ranger ricky

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), June 02, 2002.

Weeeell. My ex got royally scewed by the military, IMHO. I'm sorry, but he did. He served in desert storm, and later got informed he was exposed to all kinda nasty. Seran gas, yadda yadda. Official notification... Yes, he can go to the VA. But if any of y'all have been there, you know the situation.

What troubles me is false promises after serving. And I believe that to be the case all too often.

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), June 02, 2002.

Who do you talk to about VA med care? The told Tom that he was working and therefore wasn't eligible. He doesn't need regular medical care, but would like to have the knee looked at & since it was a service connected injury & subsequent surgery feels they have the original records so they'd be the best ones to look at it. As he aged the darn thing has swollen up and now he thinks that arthritis has set in since you can hear it 'crunch' when he walks. Some days he has to use a cane to get around. I think there's a VA hospital in Louisville or Lexington, about 120 miles away.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), June 03, 2002.

I know there is a website for VA benifits and such,, even online forms, could call them,, or even better, call an American Legion Hall, they have Va benefit counselors who could help with paperwork and such

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), June 03, 2002.