| HotShotMagic |
On the ballot today... How did/would you vote?
Quote:
Spc. Beverly Clark is not forgotten.
Clark was one of 13 Army Reservists from the Westmoreland County-based 14th Quartermaster Detachment who died Feb. 25, 1991, when an Iraqi Scud missile slammed into the unit's makeshift barracks during the Persian Gulf War.
The Indiana County woman was 23 years old.
"We take Beverly with us," said her mother, Connie Clark. "Her memory is on our minds constantly. She's with us all the time."
Fifteen years after the attack, Pennsylvanians will have a second chance to show their appreciation for Clark's sacrifice, and that of others who died or served in the war, when they go to the polls on Nov. 7.
Voters will be asked to vote on a referendum allowing the state to borrow up to $20 million to fund one-time bonuses for Gulf War veterans.
If approved, the referendum would provide for wartime bonuses ranging from $75 to $525, depending on the veteran's length of service. Prisoners of war, as well as survivors of military personnel who died on active duty or of service-connected wounds would receive $5,000.
Pennsylvania voters rejected a similar measure in 1993. Two Pennsylvania veterans groups, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, feel that referendum failed because it asked voters to incur debt to fund the bonuses.
Both groups fear the same outcome in November because the current referendum asks voters if they favor the state entering into "indebtedness" of up to $20 million to pay for the bonuses.
Connie Clark said any such monetary compensation "could be used for good," but it won't ease her family's pain.
"Money doesn't matter, really," she said. "It's nothing that makes any difference with the loss of our daughter. Our children are the only thing that meant anything to us. They are our lives, and she's still part of our lives. Nothing can make it any better, or easier."
Thirty-seven members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment were injured in the attack.
Among them was former Sgt. Michael Trout, who suffered ear injuries and shrapnel wounds.
Trout, 37, of Shaler, still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. As a result of his injuries, Trout said, he has been granted a 100 percent, service-connected disability.
Trout said the proposed wartime bonuses would be appreciated.
"If I see the lever, I'll definitely pull it," he said. "If not for me, for everybody else."
Liz Zemba can be reached at lzemba@tribweb.com or (724) 836-6646.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pit...n/s_476558.html
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I voted yes to this. Supporting the troops is more than just saying it... it's doing it. |
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| FatesWebb |
| why would you vote against this? |
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| FatesWebb |
| I bet penn, has a billion dollar surplus in thier back-pockets that they are not bringing up on this deal. |
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