Alaska Governor Palin Pleased with Army Payments to ATG Veterans

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Letter urges President Obama to permanently reinstate benefits

January 28, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin applauded Secretary of the Army Pete Geren’s decision to continue retirement payments to the Alaska Territorial Guard members on a temporary basis. A congressional fix will be needed to fully reinstate the retirement money rightfully earned by these veterans.

The Alaska Territorial Guard members are primarily Alaska Natives living in rural areas.

“Rural Alaskans face the highest food and energy costs in the nation, and these veterans need their retirement checks now more than ever,” Governor Palin said. “Using the emergency fund to provide monetary protection for these 26 veterans is the right thing to do.”

Governor Palin sent a letter directly to President Barack Obama asking him to honor these Native Alaskan veterans who gave their service without question during World War II, and asked for nothing in return. She urged the president to immediately reinstate their retirement benefits.

“The nation is in an economic downturn, and this is the worst time for the Army to cut these retirement checks to veterans who are in their late 80’s and early 90’s,” said Palin.

A copy of Governor Palin’s letter to President Obama can be found at:

http://gov.state.ak.us/pdf/GovernorJan29-PresObama.pdf

Source: Alaska Governor