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Carter Introduces Bill To Give Fort Hood Victims Combatant Status
Legislation introduced Tuesday by Central Texas Congressman John Carter would give the victims of the deadly shooting at Fort Hood the same legal status as troops who are killed or injured in Iraq and would make the soldiers who were wounded or killed eligible for Purple Heart Medals.
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11 Comments 
WASHINGTON (November 17, 2009)—Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, whose district includes Fort Hood, introduced legislation Tuesday that would give the soldiers and civilians who were killed or injured in the Nov. 5 shooting at the post’s Soldier Readiness Center the same legal status as troops who are killed or injured in Iraq or Afghanistan.
“Our Fort Hood casualties should receive the same benefits and recognition as other combat casualties, as this was a planned terror attack on U.S. military personnel,” Carter said Tuesday.
It should make no difference in our care for the wounded and the families of the slain whether it occurred on an Army base in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Texas,” he said.
While many of the military and survivor benefits for the Fort Hood victims are the same as for combatants, the combatant status would make the dead and injured soldiers eligible for the Purple Heart Medal and the civilian casualties eligible for the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom, Carter said.
The combatant status would also ensure that beneficiaries of the soldiers who died in the attack would receive the maximum life insurance benefit.
“This bill is not about investigations or assigning blame,” Carter said
“It is about taking care of our troops and their families first. That’s why we have such strong support from both sides of the aisle, and why we hope and expect this to move quickly.”
Latest Comments
So because Mrs. Sharons husband was SHOT, & emphasized that he was NOT just "involved" validates her remarks. I have to agree with (opinions are opinions)there's too many emotions involved in both her remarks & for someone who's been prior service & married to one of the wounded it was uncalled for for a retired vet & army wife to state that "maybe those with a difference of opinion should experience what you supposidly have & have their family memebers DIE or wounded...No one individual involvement was more important than any other. The FACTs are that it happened on a POST, home to these soldiers & they should be recognized. But the Purple Heart's significant meaning has a very strong history. There are other ways & a purple doesnt need to signify it. Im sure there are plenty of those "involved" or wounded that would rather have their commrades back along side them other than any award. God bless those who have & are SERVING. RET CSM
To whoever commented to me, Sharon, I am also a retired vet married to an active duty soldier who was SHOT (not just involved in the incident) and I completely understand AR REGULATION...I dont think you realize the meaning of the purple heart so you can get educated and this is not coming from an "emotional" woman or acting off emotions. My husband was just returning from his third deployment and managed to make it back safe from war only to get shot on his own turf so don't tell me about childish. My husband, along with the rest deserve to be honored WITH A PURPLE HEART and a purple doesn't even do it justice SO YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE CAN KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF UNTIL YOU ARE IN MY SHOES. THANK YOU!!!
TO SHARON on FORT HOOD>>> Have an opinion. BUT KNOW WHAT YOUR DEBATING otherwise leave your childish remarks of having opinionated individuals family members DIE. REALLY? LEARN THE ACTUAL DEFINTION, AR REGULATION, & SIGNIFICANCE BEHIND why they considered of importance in a combat zone and set aside from any other awards. It has nothing to do with being "heartless". But that is why EMOTIONS should not determine & lead actions for ending results. & women are seen to lead by their emotions...& this is coming from a WOMAN, retired vet, married to a ACTIVE duty ARMY SOLDIER @ FORT HOOD, INVOLVED in the incident that occured on post that afternoon, that if the bill were to be passed would benefit "us" but do not feel it is being well thought into, no bill can VALIDATE the significance of a "PURPLE HEART" or any awards being handed out that day. My husband was just thankful to be there to try & help as much as he could.
