Troops finally receive benefits

The Army has announced that more than 13,000 troops, including hundreds of Iowa National Guard members, have received nearly $50 million in Respite Leave benefits for extra time they served overseas.

The Army said Friday that 13,010 troops were compensated $49,564,000 for a combined 247,820 eligible days of extended deployment. Additionally, 14,962 of the 15,045 eligible soldiers have been contacted about their benefits.

'Today's news further reinforces how critical and appropriate these Respite Leave benefits were,' said 1st District Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Waterloo. 'As the first wave of Iowa's National Guard deploy into Afghanistan, I'm glad to know those who earned these benefits were able to receive them before they redeployed.' Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who took an active role in the Senate to address the problem, also welcomed the Army's announcement.

'These soldiers were in limbo long enough, so the quicker we get this money in their pockets, the better,' he said.