Families of U.S. casualties yet to see fund money

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003 | 11:14 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A fund established four months ago to help support the families of military personnel killed in Iraq has yet to issue its first checks.

James C. Moore, a friend of the family of Marine Lt. Fred Pokorney of Tonopah, says Pokorney's widow, Carolyn, needs the financial help now, not later. Moore says the board that was established by Gov. Kenny Guinn to distribute the money is moving too slowly.

Pokorney was killed in fighting in Iraq on March 23. Marine Lance Cpl. Donald Cline of Sparks was killed the same day.

The fund was created April 24 but to date "none of the funds have been distributed to military widows of the war, and I cannot figure out why," Moore of Texas said. "The names of their husbands have been used to raise the money, but the board of the fund seems to be hung up on having meetings and trying to figure out what to do with the money.

"In the meantime, these women whose husbands died for their country, are struggling to pay their bills, and transition their lives," Moore said. "It seems a little less bureaucracy and a lot more consideration and action would help these people. What good is the fund if it never gets used?"

Joe Brown, a Las Vegas attorney who is chairman of the board, says Moore is right that the going has been slow. One main problem is the board has not decided whether to give out the money in lump sums or invest it and provide periodic payments to the family, Brown said.

The next meeting of the board is Oct. 8 in Reno, and Brown said the board will hear from a professional money manager. He said a decision will be made at the end of that meeting as to how to distribute the money.

Moore said the sooner the better, but "Pokorney is in need of financial help, right now, not after the board meets again."

Brown said the fund has about $55,000 in the bank and additional commitments that should raise the total to about $84,000.

"We've got federal (tax) exempt status," Brown said. "We're wrestling with the distribution. We're trying to figure out what's best for the families."

Jerry Bussell, the homeland security adviser to the governor and a member of the board, opposes giving a lump sum to the families. He likes a long-term distribution.

"I would like to see a perpetual fund," he said.

Brown said Tina Cline, the widow of Donald Cline, has received $140,000 in insurance to support her and her two children.

Brown said he has talked to Rick Schulgen, the brother-in-law of Pokorney. Schulgen, in an e-mail to Brown, wrote that he wants the money raised so far distributed to the widow, Carolyn, and Pokorney's daughter, Taylor.

Schulgen suggests the fund give her $33,000 to pay off the new Ford Explorer Fred Pokorney bought for her before he was shipped to Iraq. He said the vehicle is a symbol to Carolyn of Fred's love and devotion.

The brother-in-law also suggests the widow receive $20,000 to buy a travel trailer for her and her daughter after they "took a loss on their house in order to try to get away from a military town (Camp Lejeune, N.C.) that has provided little or no support and remains a constant painful reminder of their loss."

And he says the widow also needs $17,000 to pay off a personal loan Carolyn and Fred took out to consolidate their debt.

Brown said fulfilling those requests would deplete the fund and leave no money for the other families whose members died or suffered a permanent disability in Iraq.