Palin tours Fort Wainwright, signs legislation
Published Saturday, June 14, 2008
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Gov. Sarah Palin was in Fairbanks Friday to sign two pieces of legislation that will help military veterans as well as the spouses of soldiers killed in combat.
The governor visited Fort Wainwright in the morning to sign House Bill 285, which gives cities the option of creating property tax exemptions for homes owned by the spouse of a soldier killed in combat. The bill takes effect in September, about the time of the expected deployment of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
“The sad truth is that not all troops return home, and I believe the best and truest thing we can do to honor them is to provide for their families,” said Palin, whose son, Track, is stationed at Fort Wainwright.
The legislation was suggested by Susan Hernandez, whose husband, Sgt. Irving Hernandez, was killed by small-arms fire in July 2006 while on patrol in Mosul, Iraq. Hernandez was part of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, since reflagged as the 1-25th. Twenty-six members of the brigade were killed during a 16-month deployment in 2005 and 2006.
“The state of Alaska has done a great job with honoring my family and a lot of other families who decide to stay here,” Hernandez said. “I hope the other 49 states will take a look at Alaska as an example.”
Hernandez thanked Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker for helping her move the bill forward. She also thanked Rep. John Coghill, R-North Pole, who introduced the bill.
“This bill will make possible the proper honor to families of fallen soldiers at a local level,” Coghill said in a statement. “We all bear the loss and will help carry the burden of these families.”
With the impending deployment of 4,000 Stryker soldiers this fall, Palin said it is imperative that the Legislature pass energy subsidies to make living in the Interior more affordable. The governor also touted the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act as a long-term way of keeping military families in the Fairbanks area.
“We’ve got to provide relief for Fairbanks and rural residents,” she said. “We’re getting to crisis mode.”
Palin continued her tour of the Army post by visiting the wall of honor at the Battle Command Training Center where photos of 172nd Stryker Brigade soldiers killed in action hang. She also met with several soldiers, checking out their equipment as well as a virtual training facility.
The governor also signed a bill at the Carlson Center later in the day that will add a box to the Alaska Permanent Fund divided application that when checked will allow the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs to contact veterans with more information about benefits available to them.
“It’s a simple way to make sure every veteran gets the benefits they have so nobly earned,” Palin said.
Community Discussion
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good deal, we have the greatest state in the union. talk about taking care of your people!
GREAT JOB MRS PALIN! THE SAD THING IS WHERE I AM FROM (PENNSYLVANIA) YOU WILL NEVER SEE THIS HAPPEN. THE ALASKAN GOVERNMENT IS OR IS ONE OF THE BEST GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNION. WE NEED PALIN TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!
To Hillary Rodham Clinton;
Sarah Palin is an example of a REAL woman leader.
Because she's a Republican?
what I want to know is if the soldiers think she is as pretty in person as on tv? :) Shes a great gov!
"Beacuse she's a republican?" What? It's a comment about being a real woman leader and nothing else. I didn't see anything in foxalaska's post about being a republican. Typical knee-jerk reaction.
Hold the phone...It has NOTHING to do with her political party. If you praise her as all Alaskans should...Please don't group her in with the tyrants of bush.
Imusuallyright, most Alaskans don't look at the party but at the person. And Sarah Palin is a great person and leader. I too would like to see her as President one day, but right now Alaska needs her more.
i'm not a Republican and I would jump Parties to vote for her!
Gov. Palin makes me very proud to be an Alaskan. I agree that she is a fine leader and I'm so thankful for this current legislation that she's signed. I'm a Fairbanks resident and a deployed soldier. The 1-25th is replacing my unit, the 2nd Strykers, this fall. It's nice to see one more way that my fellow Alaskans are supporting us soldiers. It warms my heart and lifts my spirits to know that you are behind us. Thank you. Love and Change!
GOV Palin is an outstanding leader..regardless of party. Being in the military, I for one do not feel that it is right have political views...really when it involves the President. The President is my Commander and Chief...regardless of party, He is also your Commander and Chief...so when I hear any joe schmo off the street refer to OUR President as G.W or just plain Bush...it is insulting. That is why we are a laughing stock in the eyes of the entire world. We have no loyalty....you may not agree with the man..but stand behind him.
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