Internet For Soldiers

Bill in Portland Maine on The Daily Kos reprinted this local letter from a local outraged parent, who’s son is serving overseas, and no matter what you think about the President and his policies and how he got us into the war and how he’s running the war, you have to agree that American soldiers deserve some sort of compensation for the risks they’re taking so we can sit in our comfortable chairs in the safety of our homes. I’ve always believed that American soldiers deserve that something extra — like in ancient Celtic times when the best warrior of the hunt or battle got first choice of the kill. And yet, it seems, we really don’t seem to be doing much for our brave soldiers but sending them over to risk their lives. But what can you expect from a government that didn’t adequatedly supply it’s military with appropriate armor or armor-covered vehicles?

I would like to ask Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to please help my family understand why my son, Pfc. Matthew Deister of the Maine Army National Guard’s 172nd Mountain Co., has to pay for basic services while in Iraq and Kuwait.

Matthew has been deployed for 18 months and left home Feb. 1 with his unit.
Matthew and our family understand the reason for the deployment, as he enlisted during this war. But I, his father, can’t understand why we are charging our soldiers for Internet and telephone services, food and even haircuts!

Did we not ask these fine men and women to go? And yet, we continue to charge them for simple services that should be provided at no cost.

Matthew has to pay $5 per hour for Internet service. Anyone who knows about the pay structure of the service can understand why this is such an outrage. Matthew makes Pfc. wages while overseas.

If you deduct what he pays for the Internet, telephone and haircuts, you can see the reason I am very angry right now. I have never been so angry about any situation. We require them to go overseas and yet continue to allow people to profit off their needs.

Richard Deister
Buxton, Maine
Maine Sunday Telegram

[“Cheers and Jeers Tueseday” (Daily Kos)”]

Bill in Portland Maine is taking up a collection to help pay for the 172nd’s internet. You can email him at bipm04103ATyahooDOTcom and he’ll tell you where to send it. He’s starting things off by donating 10-hours-worth himself.

Hat tip to Susie at Suburban Guerilla.

tags: blogs, Maine, Iraq, American soldiers

One comment

1. on September 29, 2006 at 8:16 am

   Amit Jalali said:

   Hi!!

   Internet is improtant in one’s life these days. One cannot pay for ILD calls always, so only cheap option is Internet, but not that cheap, that people will use it for free,some one is paying for that as well.

   If any one needs Internet Services In Afghanistan, please contact at amitjalali AT hotmail DOT com

   Regards,

   Amit
   0093- 0799674947
   Kabul

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