IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 6, 2007

For Information Contact: 
Rep. Pat George 785/296-7646
Rep. Rocky Fund 785/296-7689
Rep. Bill Otto 785/296-7636

Topeka – House Representatives Pat George (R-Dodge City), Rocky Fund (R-Hoyt) and Bill Otto (R- LeRoy) introduced legislation today to honor Kansas guardsmen killed in combat and ensure their families are taken care of in their absence.

 “These men and women are volunteer, part-time soldiers who without hesitation fight for our country and our state,” said Rep. George.  “If need be, they are prepared to pay the ultimate price so that we can enjoy our freedoms here at home.  Our bill will pay their families a $250,000 death benefit if they are killed in combat.”

Six Kansas National Guard soldiers have been killed during the war on terrorism.  In May 2005, the Kansas Legislature passed a bill providing a flat $250,000 death benefit to soldiers killed in combat prior to Sept. 1, 2005.  However, since then the state’s policy has been to only reimburse guard soldiers and their families for premiums paid on a life insurance policy offered by the federal government.

“We know no amount of money will lessen the pain Kansas families endure when their fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are killed defending our freedoms,” said Rep. Otto. “Still, we should treat all Kansas National Guard soldiers and their families the same.  The Kansas Legislature set a precedent with previous policy and we should continue that policy.”

Rep. Fund said this legislation is personal for him.  Not only is he a veteran of the Vietnam War but he knew Sgt. 1st Class Bernard Lee Deghand who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 15, 2006.

"Bernie served as a volunteer soldier.  He knew the dangers he faced in defending our country against terrorism but he also believed his family would be taken care if something were to happen to him." said Rep. Fund.  "His sacrifice allows us all to live, work, and serve without fear.  We need to stand behind our Kansas National Guard troops and their families and treat them equally and honorably."

Kansas National Guard Soldiers Killed in Combat since Sept. 1, 2005:

Sgt. Jessie Davila, a former member of Detachment 1, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Pratt, transferred to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry, Lawrence, when that battalion deployed to Iraq in August 2005. Davila, 29, a resident of Greensburg, Kan., was killed in action on Feb. 20, 2006, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Sgt. 1st Class Bernard Lee Deghand a member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Division Artillery Embedded Training Team, Kansas National Guard, was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 15, 2006. Deghand, 42, a resident of Mayetta, Kan., died as a result of small arms fire while conducting combat operations as part of Operation Mountain Fury.

Spc. John Edward Wood was a member of Detachment 1, Headquarters Support Company, 891st Engineer Battalion, in Garnett. He was attached to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 110th Engineer Battalion, Missouri National Guard, Kansas City, Mo. Wood, 37, a resident of Humboldt, Kan., died as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) which struck the convoy in which he was traveling on Oct. 7, 2006.

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