Department of Defense told to stop demanding wounded soldiers return bonuses

Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Amherst, has called on the Department of Defense to stop requiring wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to repay enlistment bonuses because their injuries prohibited them from fulfilling their commitment.

"I am outraged that the federal government would ask these brave men and women to fight for and put their lives on the line for our country and then abandon them when they are injured," said Reynolds. "It is a travesty and an embarrassment to ask our soldiers who have been injured to return money they have so bravely earned and deserve."

Recent reports revealed that the U. S. military is demanding that thousands of severely injured troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan return signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their commitments. In response to these reports, Reynolds has sent Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates a letter demanding a reversal of the policy.

Additionally, Reynolds has just co-sponsored legislation that would reverse this policy immediately. H.R. 3793, the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007, would require the secretary of defense to continue to pay to a member of the armed forces who is retired or separated due to a combat-related injury certain bonuses that the member was entitled to before the retirement or separation and would continue to be entitled to if the member was not retired or separated.

Any Western New York soldiers who are returning from Iraq or Afghanistan and have received a letter asking them to return benefits can call Reynolds' office immediately at 634-2324.