Yesterday!

[Keith_Hixson]

We had a family use our church for a family reunion. Bob is in the National Guard, he has been in the Guard for 30 years. He works as a Physicians Assistant and specializes as an Emergency room and Surgery Assistance. He is a Medic in the National Guard and over 50 yrs old. As an E-5 he will receive such a reduction in pay that the Family will really be suffering. So his family came from all over Washington and met at our church to say farewell as he spends a year in Iraq. Tomorrow he boards a plane for Iraq. His wife's biggest concern is money. They still have three kids at home and his their income will be cut in more than half.

Bob and his family is like so many guard and reservist families who are really sacrificing for our nation.

Thank you Bob.

Keith

[Arrow]

Keith,


I'm really sorry to hear this. It's not right to ask a man to defend his country and leave his family without the proper support. There needs to be provision made to find some way to cut all payments in half without penalty including utilities until their tour of duty is over. Tell them we said thank you and we are truly sorry. I'm writing a letter today to my congressional reps and ask them what the heck is up with this.

Sis

[DMZ-LT]

Salute. Thank you Bob. " One weekend a month my a$$ "

[Keith_Hixson]

In the Guard he is a regular medic. In civil life as a PA he usually is an equal with RN's. Now, they outrank him. In surgery he is called the closer, he says he is the best tailor in town. They call him in to sew them up in the Emergency Room. It'll be an interesting year for him in Iraq.

The tremendous loss of pay, the country will owe him big time.

Keith

[sn-e3]

Keith you just watch as you say the lord will provide. now print your post i the seattle PI or Times letter to the editor and then start a fund at your local state wide bank and watch the money pour in alot of people would like to help out or reserves but don't know of any with special needs or any in person this might just be what they have been looking for.

[MORTARDUDE]

The American Legion or VFW may be able to help also.

Larry

[Keith_Hixson]

Fortunately they don't have any large debts and his wife works, they just have to watch their budget. But, there are many that are in much worse situation than this family. They are just a tip of the ice berg. I'm sure the American Legion, VFW know of many, many folks nationwide. Walmart, I understand is paying its employees a make-up wage so the families won't suffer. Anyway that is my understanding. I ask him about the hospital that employs him and he said they wouldn't do it. I know that some small business just couldn't do it, but from sitting on a hospital board and finance committe I know a hospital could help if they decided to fill in the gap.

Keith