Military Coalition rallies to end government shutdown

Military Coalition rallies to end government shutdown
Army Times
Rick Maze
October 15, 2013

“After returning from war or disaster, they see that they are again being overlooked, making them feel that they are second-class warriors,” Davis said, noting that while Congress seems prepared to make sure federal civilian workers furloughed during the shutdown receive back pay, there is no plan to make up for the missed training and pay for the Guard and reserve.

With details still elusive on a possible deal to restart the federal government and avoid defaulting on U.S. debts, the 33-member Military Coalition is pressing Congress to resolve the impasse and stop scaring people.

At a news conference and rally held Tuesday at the National World War II Memorial, retired Army Col. Herb Rosenbleeth, national director of Jewish War Veterans and the Coalition’s president, said Congress and the White House are letting down service members and veterans as the partial government shutdown extends into its 15th day, with just three days before the U.S. Treasury won’t have enough money to pay all of its obligations, including military and veterans benefits.

Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff, chief executive officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said it seems as if some politicians have forgotten about veterans. “When the government shut down, our veterans still need support,” he said.
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