With more and more soldiers being called for duty, families of the Kentucky National Guard and Reserves who are killed while serving their country would receive a death benefit under a new law proposed by state representative Rick Nelson.
"It's becoming more apparent each day just how hazardous service to your country can be," said Nelson. "Even for those who don't enlist in the regular military service."
A similar benefit a $75,000 already exist for Guard troops who are killed while called by the governor. That particular benefit took effect on July 1 of 2002.
The bill that Nelson is proposing would make the new benefits retroactive to that date and would cover two Guardsman and one Reservist killed since then.
Current federal benefits for the National Guard and Reserves who are killed only rank around $9,000.
Nelson added that sometimes, $9,000 will not cover the soldier's funeral expenses.
"It's appalling, and I hope taking this step will prompt some action on the federal level as well," he said.
He felt that it seems only right to compensate the families of those citizen soldiers who are called up to combat and pay the ultimate price. The bill is currently being drafted and h as not been assigned a bill number yet.
"It's a very small cost to the state compared to losing a loved one, and it's our effort to help ease the burden."
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