Bill would ensure benefits for sole survivors

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Bill would ensure benefits for sole survivors
By Garance Burke - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 16, 2008 6:34:13 EDT

FRESNO, Calif. — Army Spc. Jason Hubbard was forced to leave the combat zone after his two brothers died in the Iraq war, but once at home the soldier faced another battle: The military cut off his family’s health care, stopped his GI educational subsidies and wanted him to repay his sign-up bonus.

It wasn’t until Hubbard petitioned his local congressman that he was able to restore some of his benefits.

Now that congressman, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., plans to join three other lawmakers in introducing a bill Wednesday that would ensure full benefits to all soldiers who are discharged under the sole survivor policy. The rule is a holdover from World War II meant to protect the rights of troops who have lost a family member to war.

“This is a man who asked for nothing and gave a lot,” said Nunes, who represents Hubbard’s hometown of Clovis, a city of 90,000 next to Fresno. “Jason is one person who obviously has suffered tremendously and has given the ultimate sacrifice. One person is too many to have this happen to.”

Hubbard, 33, and his youngest brother, Nathan, enlisted while they were still grieving for their brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Hubbard, who was 22 when he was killed in a 2004 explosion in Ramadi.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_brothers_benefits_041608/