Louisiana National Guard Families of Fallen not being paid

Sen. wants to expand military survivors law

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jul 31, 2009 9:03:35 EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. — The chairman of a state Senate veterans committee says he wants to expand a state law that pays $250,000 to the survivors of Louisiana National Guard soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The law has been in place since July 2007, but Sen. Robert Adley says it should be made retroactive to include all troops killed since the conflicts began. The Louisiana National Guard’s call-up for duty in Afghanistan and Iraq began in 2004.

Adley is the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Veterans Affairs.

The law provides a $100,000 payment to guard members who are permanently disabled and $250,000 to the families of troops killed.

Adley says it appears no families have received the benefits so far, so he also wants the program publicized more to families who might be eligible.
Sen. wants to expand military survivors law