Families of four US soldiers who were killed in action in Afghanistan last Sunday would not be expecting family aid from the US government for now. According to a report by Reuters, although military would not be affected with the government's partial shutdown, the USD100,000 aid to families of fallen soldiers would not be covered.
In the legal review briefing of the "Pay Our Military Act," Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale had told reporters, "We have some heart-rending situations. We've had a number of people die recently and we will be able to pay them, but not until the lapse of appropriation ends."
Other military gratuities were also postponed due to the partial government shutdown. These are the death gratuities to fallen troops' families, transportation expenses to cover travel of families to meet fallen loved ones at Dover Air Force Base, and burial expenses reimbursements.
Several charities had made steps to assist families of fallen troops, including Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, said Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors spokeswoman Ami Neiberger-Miller. The program assists grieving family members of military servicemembers.
Join the Conversation