http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1397892.shtml?cat=1 MN soldiers still waiting for promised bonus pay Three years after returning from Iraq, Minnesota soldiers are still waiting for bonus pay promised to them by the government. The money is caught in a bureaucratic mess. In 2005, 2,500 Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers deployed to Iraq. It became the longest deployment of any infantry unit since World War II. In 2007, after 22 months on active duty and 16 months in Iraq, the "Red Bull" 34th Infantry Brigade returned home with a promise from the federal government. They would receive bonus pay for their long service. Col. Bill Lieder with the Minnesota National Guard said, "It's really time they get their benefit. They get what's coming to them." Lieder had a thousand "Red Bull" soldiers under his command in Iraq. He said it is personally difficult for him to make waves with the military, but he said it is disgraceful that he and his soldiers haven't been paid their bonuses. "They've been promised this benefit. It has not been paid and a lot of them have just written it off," said Lieder. "Well, I haven't. They deserve it and we're going to stay on this thing until it gets completed." Lieder served long tours in both Bosnia and Iraq. He built up 54 days of bonus leave that should have earned him $16,500. In all, nearly 23,000 Army National Guard soldiers across the country haven't been paid their bonuses. Minnesota has, by far, the biggest number--more than 2,500 soldiers have had their bonus pay withheld since 2007. The Minnesota soldiers are owed roughly $10 million. Minnesota National Guard Spc. Heather Ward said, "It's just frustrating because we're not asking for more than what they promised us." Ward served as a specialist with the Red Bulls in Iraq for 16 months. With 16 days of bonus pay, she figures she is owed $3,000 to $4,000. Meanwhile she struggles to pay for her education. Minnesota National Guard Col. Eric Ahlness is working with Congress to get the bonus money, but says he's getting no where. He showed 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS letters members of Minnesota's congressional delegation sent the Defense Department demanding action in September 2008, again in April 2009 and yet again in June 2009. So far, all the delegation has received in response are letters from the Pentagon claiming the issue is under review. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS took the complaints of the Minnesota Guard to two Minnesota congressmen--Rep. Tim Walz (D) and Rep. John Kline (R). Both are military veterans. Walz once served with the Red Bulls and knows about the sacrifice of leaving family behind on deployments. He said, "Yes, we have to balance the budget. Yes, there has to be tough decisions made, but not on the backs of veterans, not on those who served in combat, not on what was promised them and is due." Kline said, "They're dragging their feet and as we ramp up the heat from congress they'll move." As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Kline has the pulpit to make something happen. He said he will call for Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to appear at a hearing to explain why brave men and women in Minnesota are being neglected. He might get answers as early as Wednesday. Gates will appear before the House Armed Services Committee to testify about the 2011 Pentagon budget. Kline plans to ask him instead about the 2007 bonus pay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Still waiting for my bonus.
