A Maryland foundation is stepping into the breach to cover death
benefits for the families of fallen service members that were suspended
during the government shutdown — including the families of five killed
in Afghanistan over the weekend.
In what veterans call an
outrageous slight after the ultimate sacrifice, the shuttered federal
government is withholding a $100,000 payment, known as the death
gratuity, that is normally wired to relatives of fallen service members.
It's
typically sent to families within three days to help cover funeral
costs or travel to meet the flag-draped coffins of their loved ones.
"It is upsetting because my husband died for his country, and now his
family is left to worry," said Ashley Peters of Springfield, Mo., whose
husband, Jeremy, was a special agent assigned to the Army's 5th
Military Police Battalion and was among the five killed. "My husband
always said if something happened to him we would be taken care of."
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