About 150 Massachusetts soldiers, recently back from Iraq, were undergoing “demobilization” in Indiana before coming home. AP picks it up from there:
Eager to get home to their families, the soldiers were shocked when they were told that they would not be flown home, but would have to take an 18- to 20-hour bus ride from Indiana to Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Democrat [Sen. Kennedy] sent a letter to the Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey, asking that the Army fly the soldiers back to New England. He was informed on Sunday that a plane had been secured. With air service such a viable option, I dont believe putting these soldiers on buses for an extended overnight ride is the most appropriate way for the US Army to show its gratitude for their considerable sacrifices, Kennedy wrote in the letter….
Taxpayers expect were going to support the military, treat them as the heroes that they are, Kennedy said in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday. This shoddy treatment, its wrong and Im glad its taken care of.
You go, Ted. Oh, and I like the kicker to this article: “Calls to the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army were not immediately returned Sunday evening.” I bet they weren’t.