Calling it ―a small thank you,‖ Gov. Bobby Jindal signed a bill into law 5 JUL that extends benefits to Louisiana National Guardsmen disabled in action and to the families of those killed in action, retroactive to 2001. Jindal signed flanked by its author, Rep. Nick Lorusso, R-New Orleans, National Guard officials and family members of four guardsmen killed in action who will receive benefits. ―It‘s fitting on the heels of Independence Day we are here to sign this bill that will ensure military families get the benefits they deserve,‖ Jindal said. ―We know no amount of money will bring their loved ones back. ” I guarantee every one of these families would rather see their husband, their son, their brother walk through that door than to have this check. We can never pay them back. What we can do is show we care.‖
House Bill 143 extends benefits to guardsmen called to active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. A 2007 bill provided such benefits, but only for guardsmen killed or disabled after that bill was passed. HB 143 amends the benefits, extending them back to the start of the War on Terror. ―This is not about money,‖ said Larry Murphy of Crown Point, whose son was killed in action in Iraq in 2005. ―This is about justice and seeing everybody treated equally.‖
Sgt. Warren Murphy was killed along with six other soldiers when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Taji, near Baghdad. Larry Murphy, a Navy veteran whose other son, Sean, is in the National Guard and stationed at Camp Beauregard, made the trip with his wife, Bonnie, to witness the ceremony. ―For me personally, it‘s about solidarity,‖ Murphy said. ―You can‘t separate these people from those people when they‘re fighting in the same operation. What‘s fair for one is fair for all.‖
The benefit is $250,000 for a fatality and $100,000 for a permanent disability. Under the new legislation, two guardsmen disabled and the families of 32 guardsmen killed from 2001-07 will receive more than $8 million in benefits. ―This gives certainly peace of mind for many of our soldiers here,‖ said Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, the adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard. ―As we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it makes us very comfortable to know it will help families who are so deserving.‖ Lane Carson, secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said, ―I am proud to live in a state that values the sacrifices made by our military personnel and supports their families in times of loss.‖ [Source: The News Star Jeff Matthews article 5 Jul 2011