President Rejects Compensation for Alaska Territorial Guard

by Lisa Graas, editor --

What on earth is wrong with this president?

From the Anchorage Daily News, 09/25/09:

In a strongly worded message to Congress outlining presidential priorities for a military spending bill, the Obama administration said Friday it disapproved of including money for pensions for 26 elderly members of the World
War II-era Alaska Territorial Guard.

The White House move drew swift rebuke from the state's two senators, Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich, who had together sponsored the pension fix.

The legislation honors 26 elderly Alaskans who are the few remaining survivors of a military unit that served the country with valor, Murkowski said, calling the administration's direction "deeply disappointing, bordering on insensitive."

Senators Murkowski and Begich should be commended for continuing to fight for compensation for these heroes of World War II. Sarah Palin, as Governor, also wrote to the president back in January about the need for continued compensation for these patriots.

Tracey Porreca, a Wasilla resident and a blogger, has the full text of Palin's letter and additional commentary on this issue at Finding Myself in Alaska.

Watch and listen to Senator Murkowski's floor speech on the issue from January.

Follow Tracey Porreca on Twitter.

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