Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) are co-sponsoring the “HEROES Act”–a bill to greatly expand death benefits for America’s military personnel and their families. Rep. Terry Everett (R-Ala.) is sponsoring the House version. It’s something politicians on both sides of the aisle should unite behind.

Blogger Bill Faith, who runs Small Town Veteran, made a vow never to forget the children of those killed in action and has dedicated his energies to tracking the legislation. Here’s a summary and analysis of the HEROES Act.

In short, the act would increase the lump-sum “gratuity” paid to the survivors of military personnel killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and future conflicts, from $12,400 to $100,000, retroactive to October 2001. The benefit for deaths not resulting from combat would remain at $12,400. The Act would increase the maximum available SGLI (Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance) coverage from $250,000 to $400,000, with the government paying the premiums for the first $150,000 for military personnel in a combat zone, retroactive to October 2001.

The bill is scheduled to be introduced on Jan. 24. Milbloggers Blackfive and Sgt. Major at The Quonset Hut have joined in a call for support of the legislation. Contact your reps here.

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