Soldiers Need Our Support!

What I'm about to say should at least disgust most of us and really make us wonder where this nation is headed.

It had been brought to my attention recently that there was a serviceman serving in Afghanistan that wasn't getting but two meals a day, because the government was cutting back on their expenses by doing this. I made contact with the mother of that serviceman and she confirmed to me that this was true. She said that the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sharana, that her son was stationed at had decided to not serve breakfast to our men and women stationed there because they didn't have the money to continue to serve three meals a day. She also mentioned that depending when the service person stood duty they may not even get that because hours have also been reduced at the chow halls. Because of possible repercussions for this serviceman I will not mention a name. She also mentioned that she had heard it was happening at some of the other FOBs.

Another friend of mine had a son serving in Afghanistan, so I decided to ask him to check with his son and see if he was getting three meals a day, where he was stationed. His son's reply was that while he was at a small base he was receiving all his meals, but that he had heard at some of the other FOBs, that they are being denied one meal as well as other needed equipment and supplies, including ammunition because of expense cuts.

This is not right. I'm sure our government can find some other budgeted areas than this to cut. We can not cut our federal expenses on the backs of our men and women in uniform. I am providing this information up the chain of command in the American Legion and asking for their support in this matter. I have also contacted Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Senator Richard Durbin and Senator Mark Kirk and informed them as a veteran as well as Post Service Officer for the Lena American Legion that I was upset and saddened by this news. I told them that the federal government should spend no more money, on any other program, until they can find the money to provide needed food and supplies to our service personnel stationed in Afghanistan and other duty stations overseas. That if we can't afford to feed our men and women serving in Afghanistan, or give them the supplies needed to complete their jobs, we need to bring them home now.

As of yet, I have heard nothing from any of these individuals. Will keep you posted!!!


Regards,
The Navy Vet