Army Cuts Off Pay for Territorial Guardsmen
by Rebecca Palsha
Thursday, January 22, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- The army has declared that the Alaska Territorial Guard's service no longer qualifies for retirement benefits.
The military plans to terminate retirement pensions for the mostly native militia formed during World War II to guard the Alaskan territory from increasing Japanese attacks during the war.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she is concerned with the timing of the cut, considering high fuel costs in remote villages this time of year.
"You just have to ask the question how can our government be so insensitive," Murkowski said. "Taking retirement benefits out of the pockets of seniors at a time of the year that they are absolutely the most vulnerable."
The 25 long retired militia men, who are now in their 80s, will lose an average of $400 from their monthly retirement pay.
Letters informing the militia members of the retirement cut are in the mail.
"Those letters will tell these 25 elderly Alaskans that the army has changed its mind about whether their service in the Alaska territorial guard during World War II counts toward military retirement," Murkowski said.
Robert Goodman with the Alaska Territorial Guard organization said some of the blame falls on Alaskan officials, but mainly on Gen. Craig Campbell who Goodman said never made it a priority getting the men recognized by the federal government.
"I think we should raise enough hell for these senior veterans that somebody looks really bad for not taking care of these people," Goodman said. "These are veterans."
But Campbell said this is a federal decision and that he's severely disappointed.
"I personally have contacted all the congressional delegations staffers who've communicated with the Army," Campbell said. "I've been in contact as to what the progress is, I've informed the governor, and a letter is being drafted to Obama that I believe the governor will sign."
The army plans to cut the retirement credit on Feb. 1.
Murkowski said she'd like to see the defense department continue to pay these men, and if not she says the Obama administration should send legislation to Congress ending any doubt the service should count as military service before the reduction takes place.