Cutting Armed Forces Network, Stars & Stripes Should Be Off the Table Says Legion National Commander

DENVER - Dec. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- The head of the nation’s largest veterans service organization warned that “morale is becoming a casualty of sequestration” thanks to the latest budget talk emanating from Washington.

“Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, our troops overseas were greeted with the news from Stars & Stripes that the historic newspaper might be on the chopping block by Pentagon budget-cutters,” said American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger. “Moreover, the Armed Forces Network, which provides American-style programming including sporting events, is also facing cuts. This comes at a time when military commissaries across the country may close, weapons systems are eliminated, brigades are cut and training missions cancelled. The American Legion has been warning against sequestration for years now. We are starting to see the real effects of cutting an additional $500 billion from one of the few parts of the federal budget that is mandated by the Constitution. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel just said the cuts are too steep, too deep and too abrupt. He also referred to sequestration as an irresponsible way to govern. I agree.”

Dellinger pointed out that benefit cuts start a vicious cycle which leads to manpower shortages and higher casualties in combat. “Every time America has cut its forces, we later regretted it. The American Legion is urging our 2.4 million members to contact their congressional delegations and let them know that the madness called ‘sequestration’ must end. The same message needs to be relayed to the president.”

Carol Kennedy, State of Colorado American Legion Commander states, “That We, as a government are continuing to cut more and more from our military. WHY??  Our government is willing to provide medical care, food, and other basic necessities of daily living for people living here that are illegal, as well as sending aid to foreign countries. Yet they continue to take away the needed items for our military.  Sequestration is our government’s way to squeeze us until it hurts . . . well it HURTS and it MUST STOP!!!!!”

Commander Kennedy further states, “The irresponsibility of our government is a vicious circle, cutting troops, cutting missions and supplies, etc., only leads to an increase in combat casualties and loss of troops, etc.  We MUST shout at our government . . . STOP hurting and KILLING our troops as a means of forcing us into your way of running this country.”

Commander Carol feels that this will not stop until every veterans, family, friend and every person in the US starts screaming STOP!!!  Make it STOP. Tell that to your Senators and Representatives - MAKE IT STOP -NOW!!!!!

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For More Information Contact Pat Smith, Adjutant Department of Colorado, or Darrell Myers Department Public Relations Officer at 303-366-5201 or by e-mail at observer@coloradolegion.org