{UpDated} ATTN: Keith, Rachel and The Few Others: "Stop Loss" Time Running Out

Please Help get the word out as we are Quickly Approaching the October 21st deadline for the Soldiers and their Families who were Stop Lossed, in order to fight in the long extended occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and many still haven't made contact, some can't for various reasons like homelessness, because of the economy, may live in rural area's as many who serve do, etc.!

The few others I mention in the subject title are those media types who actually, like you two, use their intelligence in their profession of journalism and are true journalist and reporters.

Anyone close to Keith, Rachel and these others, if they may not see this or the others who've called for actions, who might read this Please Pass It On To Them. We Advocates and Activist, especially us Veterans, can only do so much, we don't hold the microphones or the print media and blogs etc. are only seen by a very few eyes where as hundreds of thousands to millions watch or read what you report and that snowballs in many ways. It might really help if you made mention on every show from now till the 21st or 20th at least, not help us but help these soldiers and their families who were back door drafted to fight in these two wars of choice!

A U.S. Congressional House member recently has tried to bring up a bill to extend the deadline for another year, H.R.5449 - To amend section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 to extend the period of time during which claims for retroactive stop-loss special pay may be submitted. so more can not only find out about it but those who for some reason may think it's some sort of con can feel more at ease and receive what they are owed. I can't find anything as to if the recent attempt went anywhere and the Congressional Critters are leaving Washington to Campaign which means the deadline might come with no one to help stop it actually working in either peoples house. Maybe President Obama can do so with an executive order, not sure about that, even if to just extend the October deadline till Congress comes back after the election.

Good for Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH):

 

A lawmaker who helped create the $500 a month retroactive stop-loss allowance is now trying to extend an Oct. 21 deadline for service members and veterans to apply for the benefit.

Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, the original House sponsor of legislation creating the payment for people whose service was involuntarily extended by military orders, is trying to get a deadline extension included in a federal spending bill that Congress expects to pass by the end of the week, according to congressional aides.

Sutton wants the deadline extended for another year. {read rest}

And this from back in August:

100K eligible troops could miss stop-loss pay

Aug 5, 2010 - A key lawmaker behind the creation of a monthly $500 stop-loss allowance says the Defense Department may not be doing enough to try to locate separated service members who are now on the brink of losing the right to apply for the money.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., chief Senate sponsor of legislation that created retroactive stop-loss allowances, said only about 25,000 of the more than 145,000 eligible service members and veterans have applied for and received payments.

There is an Oct. 21 deadline to apply for payments, and Lautenberg expects an all-out push from the military using “every available outlet” to warn people they could be losing the money.

With payments set at $500 a month for every month in which a person spent one day under stop-loss orders since September 2001, and with 6½ months the average time spent beyond their separation date when orders were given, more than 100,000 people would receive average payments of $3,500 — if they can be found.

Army officials launched a campaign two weeks ago to remind eligible troops and veterans of the looming deadline, but Lautenberg said he wants the military to do more. {read rest}

A Message to those Veterans from the top Military Brass:

Calling All Stop-lossed Servicemembers...

Time is running out for those who qualify to receive their Stop Loss Special Pay. The deadline to claim it is Oct. 21st, but less than half of the more than 145,000 people eligible have submitted claims.

It’s not a scam. And it’s not a joke. It’s YOUR money, so come get it.

Just in case you had forgotten, the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act authorized retroactive stop loss special pay of $500 for every month/partial month served in stop loss status.

Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members who were involuntarily extended under stop loss between 9/11 and September 30th 2009 are eligible.

The Congress generously set aside $534.4 million to pay out those funds, but as of the end of last month only $219 million in claims have been paid.

We’ve used all kinds of different ways to reach out to people and let them know, including letters to homes and help from Veteran/Military Service Organizations. But there are still those who have yet to apply.

So, with the deadline fast approaching, I’m asking everyone who reads this blog to pass it on to anyone else you think needs to see it. Qualifying individuals have served -- or are still serving -- their country nobly and deserve to be paid the money they’ve earned.

The application process is simple and straightforward. No strings attached. But once the deadline passes, we cannot by law extend it. So jump online and check it out at: Stoploss.

It’s your money.

--Admiral Mike Mullen

And a Message from the Top, your CiC and our President:

You Earned It

Obama Reaches Out to Veterans: You Earned It

September 15, 2010 - President Obama encourages active duty troops and veterans whose service in Iraq or Afghanistan was involuntarily extended or retirement was suspended due to ‘stop loss’ to apply for the special retroactive pay to which they are entitled.

All the needed information and links can be found here: Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay or contact local Veterans organizations, recruiting offices, government offices, your representatives, the military especially the branches you served in.

There was movement on the Extension late last night, I just talked to her office, but it's short term. The following is on Representative Suttons site:

Rep. Sutton Buys More Time for Veterans of Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to File for “Stop Loss” Pay

September 29, 2010 - WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) announced that veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq whose enlistments were involuntarily extended will have more time to file for "stop loss" pay.

"I am pleased that our soldiers will have more time to file for the stop loss compensation that they deserve for all of their extended service in Afghanistan and Iraq," said Rep. Sutton. "Our brave servicemen and women need to know that we honor and respect their dedication and sacrifices to protect us and our country."

Under the "stop loss" law, originally introduced by Rep. Sutton in 2008, servicemen and women - including members of the Reserve components - who had their service extended due to stop loss after September 11, 2001 are eligible for "stop loss" pay of $500 per month for each month their service was extended.

Under the legislation passed today, all applications must be submitted to the respective branch of service no later than December 3, 2010. Service members must provide documented proof that they were "stop lossed" with their claim. Family members of deceased service members should contact the appropriate military service for assistance in filing their claim.

To submit claims for retroactive "stop loss" pay, please visit www.defense.gov/stoploss or, if you have any questions, please call Rep. Sutton's office at (202) 225-3401.

 

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The focus should now be to try and keep this front and center for when Congress comes back after the election so it doesn't get lost in the mix. That's the message I gave her office, We'd Still Push to make sure she's successful for the Stop Lossed Soldiers who've fallen through!!