Almost 1,400 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq since the invasion.
Many signed up for the military during a time of peace ““ and
had almost no expectation that they could fight and die in such a
faraway land. Now Congress is finally moving to increase the death
benefits paid to the spouses and children of soldiers who have been
killed in action.
Between 1991 and 2003, survivors received only $6,000 when their
husbands, wives, fathers and mothers were killed in the line of
duty. Only in 2003 did Congress double that number to a tax-free
$12,000.
But even $12,000 is a pathetically small amount when one
considers the money goes to rebuilding an individual’s entire
life.
Realizing that, Congress is now considering an increase of the
death gratuity to $100,000 ““ a much more useful sum. Though
it seems impossible to put a fixed monetary value on a
person’s life and no amount of money can replace a loved one,
the money undoubtably helps in many practical ways.
In addition to the increased gratuity, Congress is considering
other benefits in the event of a soldier’s death ““
including free health insurance for children through age 22 and
increasing the Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance maximum
coverage to $300,000.
The cost of the new death benefits would not be enormous ““
especially compared to the overall military budget of about $500
billion. If the U.S. gave $100,000 for every soldier killed in Iraq
since 2003, the cost to taxpayers would be less than $140
million.
Witnessing the United States spend billions on training, tanks
and planes makes the lack of support for families of those who die
fighting look so much more egregious.
In addition to supporting soldiers’ families, over 10,000
U.S. troops have been wounded in Iraq. Many of these wounded have
received serious injuries and were only saved by advanced medical
techniques.
Amputations, crippling pain and a general reduction in quality
of life will affect them for the rest of their lives ““ they
need and deserve quality health care and the full support of the
government.
And, even for those soldiers who received no physical injuries,
participating in the Iraq war means coming back to the United
States and reintegrating into jobs, family and civilian life.
Especially for those who have killed in battle, this transition
can be difficult. Some early reports indicate that Iraq war
veterans are beginning to make their way to America’s streets
in an ominous echo of the Vietnam War’s legacy.
Congress should increase the death gratuity, but it also should
not forget the men and women who make it back to their homes and
families ““ often with physical and psychological injuries.
Additionally, Congress should reconsider the limitations on these
benefits. Not all families today consist of a husband, a wife and
2.5 kids. Those who are willing to die for the government should be
able to designate who should receive benefits ““ even if that
person isn’t a traditional spouse.