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December 4, 2009

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Letter: Our generosity should extend to soldiers, families

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005 | 9:27 a.m.

Americans are generous, as was proven by the 9/11 victims' fund. Now it's being proven again by the contributions to the relief efforts under way in response to the tsunamis that hit Southern Asia.

The outpouring of generosity for the 9/11 victims and the survivors, both from the federal government and private citizens, meant that thousands of families received significant financial aid. The minimum payout from these funds was $250,000. As for the tragedy in Asia, our government has committed $350 million, plus manpower and logistic resources.

Why doesn't this same mindset, the coming together of our nation and its people, apply to our fallen brethren in the military? More than 1,500 American military men and woman have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 10,000 have been wounded, with many being crippled for life,

Yet there is no national outpouring of generosity for those who protect us. Is it because we feel that it is just their job? Do we feel that those who sacrifice their lives and families for military service volunteered to be killed or maimed? I can't explain it, but we need to think long and hard about how and where we should be applying our generosity.

RICHARD RYCHTARIK

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