Senator Gillibrand Calls for Plan to Begin Combat Troop Redeployment from Afghanistan

Mounting al Qaeda Threats in Arab Peninsula Outweigh Threats in Afghanistan, Responsible Redeployment Supports Afghanistan Sovereignty, Widespread Corruption and Lack of Cooperation from Pakistan Undermining Afghan Stability

America’s Cost of War in Afghanistan: Over $345 Billion and Growing

COUNTY-BY-COUNTY Data: Over 1,600 New York Troops Deployed in Afghanistan Right Now

After nearly a decade at war in Afghanistan and more than 1,600 New York troops deployed there currently, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today called for a clear plan for withdrawal of America’s combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014. Over the last decade, America spent a total of $336 billion to fund the war and $11 billion for assistance in Afghanistan, with about $124 billion more set to be approved by Congress for FY2011.

Senator Gillibrand is calling for passage of the Safe and Responsible Redeployment of United States Combat Forces from Afghanistan Act, legislation to begin withdrawing American combat forces from Afghanistan on July 1 of this year. Senator Gillibrand is also making a formal request for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to negotiate a Strategic Redeployment Agreement, based on the model used to withdraw American forces from Iraq, to establish a 2014 withdrawal end date for U.S. combat troops.

“America cannot afford an endless war in Afghanistan,” Senator Gillibrand said. “After nearly a decade at war, with still no equal commitment from the Karzai government, and after all the lives we’ve sacrificed and the billions we’ve spent on this war, it’s time to start bringing our troops home. It’s time to put the future and security of Afghanistan in the hands of its own leaders, and focus America’s national security on the emerging and more imminent threats from al Qaeda in other regions.”

Nearly 100,000 American troops are deployed in Afghanistan today, including more than 1,600 from New York State.

• New York City is home to 259 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• Western New York is home to 95 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• The Rochester/Finger Lakes Region is home to 88 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• Central New York is home to 98 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• The Southern Tier is home to 45 total military personnel are currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• The Capital Region is home to 55 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• The North Country is home to 528 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• The Hudson Valley is home to 105 total military personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.
• Long Island is home to 96 total personnel military currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Factors Behind Redeployment Strategy

• Transparency International ranks Afghanistan the second most corrupt nation in the world. Its largest bank, Kabul Bank, which processes international aid, funds government salaries and security forces, is on the verge of collapse as a result of widespread corruption.
• Neighboring Pakistan harbors al Qaeda and Taliban insurgency while Pakistan’s intelligence agency maintains ties to the Taliban.
• Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has called for Afghanistan’s forces to take lead for their country’s security.
• Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula has now surpassed Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda organization in Afghanistan as the most likely to successfully execute an attack inside the United States, according to Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Michael Leiter.

The Gillibrand Afghanistan Withdrawal Plan

Begin Combat Forces Withdrawal in July 2011
Senator Gillibrand believes it is time to signal a clear end to America’s combat mission in Afghanistan. Senator Gillibrand is an original co-sponsor of the Safe and Responsible Redeployment of United States Combat Forces from Afghanistan Act, legislation authored by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and co-sponsored by 4 senators. The legislation would:

• State that it is U.S. policy to begin the phased redeployment of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by July 1, 2011;
• Require the president to submit a plan to Congress by July 31, 2011 for the phased redeployment of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan, including a completion date for such redeployment.

The legislation builds on President Obama’s strategy to begin the responsible reduction of U.S. forces in July 2011; complete the transfer of responsibility of security to Afghan forces by 2014; and implement a sustained, long-term commitment beyond the withdrawal date.

Establish Strategic Redeployment Agreement
To lay the foundation for an end date to America’s combat forces in Afghanistan and support Afghanistan security forces’ lead for their country’s security, Senator Gillibrand has written to Secretaries Clinton and Gates requesting the negotiation of a Strategic Redeployment Agreement, based on the model used to withdraw American forces from Iraq.

The agreement could also set conditions beyond 2014 for a continued, modest, non-combat mission in Afghanistan, such as an ongoing counter-terrorism mission, along with training of Afghan forces and civilian security projects. The agreement would retain current freedom of mission and protections for U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.

A 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement between the U.S. and Iraq established the broader relationship between the two countries and a 2008 Withdrawal of U.S. Forces Agreement set December 31, 2011 as the complete withdrawal date for U.S. troops.

Senator Gillibrand’s full letter to Secretaries Gates and Clinton:

Dear Secretaries Clinton and Gates,

It is my strong view that it is time to negotiate a Strategic Redeployment Agreement with Afghanistan that would mandate a date certain for the withdrawal of all United States combat forces no later than 2014. I am writing out of consideration for our changing national security challenges, my deep concern about the toll that the war in Afghanistan is taking on our troops and our country, and recognition of that the Afghan and Pakistani governments are not taking steps critical to the war effort. I believe a clear combat redeployment agreement would help our efforts in Afghanistan by reinforcing Afghan sovereignty and protecting both the readiness and the flexibility we need to meet the full array of global security challenges that confront our country.

I have great confidence in the ability of our troops and the strategic focus of our commanders. The surge in Afghanistan has accomplished some substantial military gains. However, as the President has said, in laying out the strategy for Afghanistan, there are “three core elements of our strategy: a military effort to create the conditions for a transition; a civilian surge that reinforces positive action; and an effective partnership with Pakistan.” Despite our civilian assistance, corruption in Afghanistan remains rife. As the near-collapse of Kabul Bank has demonstrated, corruption undermines Afghanistan’s stability and the support of its people for their government. Without a strong, stable, and effective Afghan government, we risk serious domestic instability that opens the door to a return to control by the Taliban and related organizations of major parts of the country despite a U.S. military commitment. As for Pakistan, while I applaud the sacrifices Pakistan’s military has made in fighting some insurgent groups, al Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network, and others continue to enjoy safe havens inside Pakistan, near the Pakistani-Afghan border, allowing them to resupply and direct the war in Afghanistan. Insufficient dedication from Kabul and Islamabad undermines our military investment in Afghanistan.

I am also concerned that the drain on our resources in Afghanistan may deteriorate our flexibility to address other global threats. In the past few months, upheavals in the Middle East have posed new challenges for our government as a whole, including the military. Yet, our flexibility of response appears to be compromised in part by our ongoing military involvement in two other Muslim majority countries. Top U.S. intelligence officials have said that Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula is a greater national security challenge than bin Laden. And al Qaeda’s reach appears to be increasingly global – spreading ideology and seeking recruits via the Internet and other methods - not limited to specific contests like the one in Afghanistan. U.S. strategy for countering terrorism needs to be far more nimble, innovative, and global than the troop-heavy counter-insurgency.

What I am suggesting is not to spell out every stage of U.S. troop redeployment from Afghanistan – specific redeployment decisions should be up to commanders on the ground and avoid giving the enemy a potential propaganda tool. Nor should we change the protection for our troops and flexibility for our mission that has been agreed in the U.S.-Afghanistan diplomatic notes exchange and the ISAF-Afghanistan Military Technical Agreement. I do not believe that a withdrawal agreement must necessarily limit our training or counter-terrorism missions, or protection for our civilian development programs. It is critical, however, that we provide for a date certain for withdrawal of our combat forces, in order to give certainty to the American people; to ensure maximum flexibility in responding to other contingencies; and to publicly endorse the Afghan Government’s assumption of lead responsibility as planned.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream...to Go to War?!"

This Monday, January 17th, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It's a day for us to celebrate one of the most important peacemaking heroes in our nation's history, and an appropriate moment to reflect on the power of nonviolent social activism motivated by love and a sense of justice. For the millions of us who oppose the Afghanistan War (and yes, there are many, many millions of us in the U.S.), Dr. King points the way to the end of the Afghanistan War and beyond, to the onset of the Beloved Community.

Just don't tell the Pentagon.

Join the fight to end the war: http://facebook.com/RethinkAfghanistan

"The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to end it must be ours."
--Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking of Vietnam.

This week the Pentagon sank to a new low: claiming that Dr. King would "understand" the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. King's legacy is clear: he opposed war and other violence and condemned war as "an enemy of the poor."

Help us stop the Pentagon's lies and attempts to justify the brutal, futile war in Afghanistan. Spread the truth by sharing this video with your family and friends.

WRBA Holds First Meeting of 2011 Snow Tops Concerns by Lisa Fraser - Leader-Observer

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Resident David Quintana asks representative from Congressman Anthony Weiner's office to communicate to the the Congressman that we need to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan wars at WRBA's first meeting of 2011.

The Woodhaven Residents Block Association held their first meeting of 2011 last Saturday, January 8, at the Woodhaven Richmond Hill Ambulance Corps. Topping concerns: the slow snow removal process on many of the blocks in Woodhaven.

Residents complained of uncleared snow on their respective blocks days after the storm, and one, Maria Concolino, said she noticed that some vendors on Jamaica Avenue and along the side streets didn't bother to shovel the snow to make a walkway for pedestrians.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley was on hand to discuss the frustrations residents faced and stated that she would confront the Mayor and sanitation on why the streets were not cleared in a timely fashion.

"When EMS workers cannot get to an emergency because the snow is now plowed, I do not believe that is the fault of the emergency service people," she said.

She informed the residents that a hearing would be held in the borough regarding the snow cleanup at Queens Borough Hall on January 21.

Assemblyman Michael Miller was also present and shared with residents, his experience with the storm – his block in Glendale was not plowed until Wednesday night because of a stuck car that the sanitation crew refused to move.

Edward Wendell, president of the block association, urged residents to become block captains so that they could be the eyes and ears of their block in situations such as the blizzard. Captains will report on to the WRBA what's happening on the block.

"The idea is to prepare ourselves for the next storm, whether it be a snow storm or a rain storm that we had last year ripped down trees," Wendell said. "We need to be able to quickly assess the damage in the neighborhood."

The WRBA would then get in touch with the captain so that in the event that sanitation or a local official contacts them, they know which blocks to hit first, and which trees are down or which blocks are without power. A map outlining the blocks that need a block captain can be found on the association's blog, wrba.wordpress.com.

Another nuisance that has been bothering a few residents in the recent weeks centered around a food truck vendor parked on 85th Street and Jamaica Avenue next to the J train station.

Vamce Barbour, treasurer of the WRBA, pointed out that he recently saw the vendor selling food at 10 p.m. one night. Another resident also reported seeing the vendor a few nights later. Maria Thomson, financial secretary of the WRBA said that he has no right to be parked on a residential street.

"I was able to get him off of Jamaica Avenue after many months," she said. She contacted Crowley's office in hopes to rid the vendor, who sells Mexican food, because he disrupts business on the avenue. She's now aiming to get him off of the residential block.

The next residents association meeting will be held on February 12. The meetings are held on Saturdays now because it is more convenient for residents to attend on the weekend instead of after work on a winter weeknight.

Police Arrest 131 Antiwar Protesters In Front Of White House by Dan Froomkin - The Huffington Post

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WATCH video excerpts of the arrests. Organizer Mike Ferner, the president of Veterans for Peace, gets dragged away, and Ellsberg flashes a peace sign before getting handcuffed.

Hoping to spark the country's silent majority into action, 131 antiwar protesters got themselves arrested Thursday, in one of the larger acts of civil disobedience in front of the White House in some time.

Carrying signs that frequently included question marks -- "Peace on earth?" and "How is the war economy working for you?" -- protesters organized by a Missouri-based veterans groupmarched up to the White House gates and refused to disperse, holding their ground for several hours on a snowy and blustery day.

Among those arrested was Daniel Ellsberg, the Vietnam-era whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers as an act of protest in 1971. Thursday's arrest was his 80th.

All the arrests were appropriately peaceful although some protesters went limp, forcing police to carry them to the loaned Metrobuses waiting to take them to a booking facility. Only one protester actually attached himself to the gate with a bicycle lock.

All were charged with failure to obey lawful order, a misdemeanor, said Park Police spokesman David Schlosser.

Schlosser said the protesters would be released after either forfeiting $100 or accepting an assigned court date.

A new poll shows that a substantial majority of the country agrees with the protesters on some central points. As Amanda Terkel reports for the Huffington Post, the poll finds a record 60 percent of Americans now say the war in Afghanistan is not worth fighting.

Before the mass arrest, speakers at the rally, which was attended by at least 500 people, attacked the war and defended WikiLeaks and Bradley Manning, the army officer suspected of leaking secret State Department cables to the website.

Earlier on Thursday, Ellsberg told a Washington news conference that Manning and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange were no more deserving of prosecution than the New York Times, which published the Pentagon Papers in 1971, or Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward, who helped uncover the Watergate conspiracy.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with Up Close with Diana Williams - 7online.com

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Diana Williams sits down one on one with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Get to know Senator Gillibrand better by watching this interview...

My Open Letter to President Obama and My Members of Congress Re: General McChrystal...

Dear Editor,

Good morning, here is a copy of a letter I sent to President Obama, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep Anthony Weiner...

Dear Members of Congress and President Obama,

General McChrystal's recent interview with Rolling Stone was blunt, impolitic and rude. But McChrystal should not be fired from his job as head of the Afghan war because of what he said. He should be fired because of what he did.

McChrystal's plan to send more troops to Afghanistan, kill more insurgents and prop up the failed government currently in power is simply not working. And it won't work -- no matter what McChrystal or anyone else says.

The time has come to end this war and bring home our troops. We need to focus on our own economy and international aid projects that can rebuild trust in America around the world. You can help take a first step in this direction by firing Stan McChrystal and, more important, by firing his failed plan for the war.

Sincerely,

David M. Quintana

Chairman Towns Opens Inquiry into Quality of Troops’ Body Armor and Vehicle Safety...

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Chairman Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) is asking Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for explanations about management of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) troop armor procurement and testing programs. The inquiry follows a DoD Inspector General (IG) report issued recently that identified problems with the Army’s body and vehicle armor testing process. Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, DOD has consistently struggled to deploy safe and reliable body armor to troops on the front line, and the IG has issued several reports outlining the challenges to DOD’s armor procurement policies and potential solutions. Chairman Towns, an Army veteran, is committed to ensuring the safety of our troops.

“For almost a decade, our troops have sacrificed life and limb to defend our nation. At the same time, DoD has repeatedly struggled to manage its programs and testing related to protective armor, including body armor,” said Chairman Towns. “If we are going to continue sending troops into harms way, we must know that DoD is doing all it can to provide effective and save body armor and armored vehicles.”

A January 2009 DoD IG report identified problems with the U.S. Army's testing processes. The IG found, among other things, that testing of some body armor was not consistently conducted in accordance with contract requirements—and that body armor that was recorded as having passed testing had actually failed. A separate review of body armor testing by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) the Army did not follow established testing protocols, did not maintain certain internal controls, and recommended an independent assessment of armor test results.

The letter from Chairman Towns to Secretary Gates is the latest in a series of inquiries from the House Oversight Committee into Federal procurement and waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. In the letter to Gates, Chairman Towns requested that DoD brief the House Oversight Committee on the Department's efforts to ensure that our troops have effective and safe body armor and armored vehicles, as expeditiously as possible.

Specifically, the Chairman requested an overview of key ongoing armored vehicle and body armor acquisition programs of the Services, including the Army's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle program (MRAP); contractors involved in the maintenance or procurement of body armor or armored vehicles; and field experience with the effectiveness of protective armor, including body armor, along with any analysis comparing experience in the field with the results of laboratory testing.

“I am aware that DoD has made some progress addressing past problems with the body and vehicle armor provided to our armed services,” said Chairman Towns. “However, I want to make sure DoD’s progress continues. There is nothing more important than providing our troops with the best protection possible.”

The full text of the letter from Chairman Towns to Secretary Gates is below.

###

Documents and Links

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Letter from Chairman Edolphus Towns to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Sign Petition to Rethink Afghanistan - Brave New Foundation

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News reports indicate that in the next few weeks, President Obama plans to announce his decision to send up to 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

If he does so, he will be making the biggest mistake of his presidency.

Sign the petition to send a clear message to President Obama: Do not send more soldiers into this quagmire:

http://rethinkafghanistan.com#petition

An Afghanistan War veteran will travel to D.C. to deliver this message to the White House. Make sure your voice is heard.

Text of Petition:



Dear President Obama,

News reports indicate that you plan to send between 34,000 and 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

We urge you to reconsider this decision.

Expanding the war in Afghanistan will make Americans less safe, not more so.

Less than 100 members of Al Qaeda remain in Afghanistan. The Karzai government we once supported is controlled by warlords and is riddled with corruption. Pakistan’s stability will be gravely imperiled by an expansion of the war. Hundreds if not thousands of troops will be killed, along with countless civilians. Anti-American sentiment throughout the Muslim world will be inflamed by civilian bloodshed, facilitating recruitment by terrorist organizations.

The war will cost billions of dollars when we can least afford it, and will stymie your domestic agenda.

The cost of sustaining a military force in Afghanistan is $1 million per soldier per year – that’s close to $100 billion dollars annually with the troop increase. With the economy in shambles, the deficits generated by these enormous costs will compromise your domestic legislative agenda both fiscally and politically.

The United States has no vital interest in Afghanistan. If you choose to further escalate troop levels in Afghanistan, you will be making the biggest mistake of your presidency.

Please reject General McChrystal’s troop requests and begin the process of exiting U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

Sign Petition Now...

Community of Veterans - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Community of Veterans

About this site:

A joint effort of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council, this site is designed as a resource to our nation’s newest Veterans. Comprising less than 1 percent of the population, Veterans face a myriad of challenges while feeling isolated and cut off from those to whom they can best relate – other Veterans. While addressing a range of topics, this site is ultimately a point of connection where Veterans are helping Veterans.

IAVA
Founded in 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization with more than 125,000 active veteran members and grassroots supporters in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.iava.org.

IF YOU ARE A VETERAN of OIF or OEF, you are eligible to become an IAVA member. Joining IAVA is free- just click below to get started. A new window will open with the registration form from the main IAVA website.

Join IAVA

The Advertising Council
The Ad Council, www.adcouncil.org is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

The mental health consequences of combat threaten to overwhelm a new generation of veterans. There are 1.7 million men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in Iraq and Afghanistan. About 1 in 5 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are suffering from a mental health injury, ranging from depression to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as a result of their service.

Less than 1% of the U.S. population has served or is serving in the current conflicts and when they return home, their sense of isolation is often magnified. This campaigns long-term objective is to decrease the depression and PTSD-related outcomes among returning Vets by taking a two-pronged approach encouraging Veterans to join other Veterans at the first ever online community exclusive to OIF/OEF Vets, and separately, to empower their Friends and Family by helping them learn how to start constructive conversations. The challenges facing returning vets are myriad but with support from other Veterans, family, and friends the issues can be effectively dealt with.

US Representative Weiner: Wars In Iraq, Afghanistan Taking Costly Toll On New York City Taxpayers - Various Media Sources - June 23rd - Times Square

Times Square, NYC

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NEWS: REPORT - CITY WORKERS HAVE MISSED 700,000 DAYS OF WORK IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN

New York City – City police officers, fire fighters, and municipal workers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have missed nearly 700,000 days of work since 2001, according to a new report released today by Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Brooklyn & Queens), co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on the Middle Class. The report, based on City payroll data and salary estimates for municipal workers, found that City taxpayers have paid more than $65 million in salaries for workers deployed overseas. The monetary costs and productivity losses – which come on top of 51 City residents who have tragically died for their country – result from 2,028 City employees who have taken military leave since September 11th, including 1,191 from the NYPD and 251 from the FDNY.

The loss of first responders poses a particular hardship to New York City’s ongoing effort to keep 8 million residents and 4 million daily mass transit riders safe. Rep. Weiner announced a new comprehensive revenue sharing bill, which will provide $40 billion in Federal aid to economically-challenged cities, including localities incurring costs when first responders are called to active duty.

Rep. Weiner said, “Dozens of New York families have lost loved ones in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But all New Yorkers have paid in economic price for this foreign policy folly.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

- Since September 11th, City employees have missed a total of 691,493 days of work while on military leave.

- Of the 691,493 missed work days, the NYPD has lost 405,927 days and the FDNY has lost 70,819 days due to military leave.

- In 2007, the NYPD had a total of 362 members deployed and the FDNY had a total of 76 members deployed. These first responders missed a total of 60,893 work days at an estimated cost of $3.3 million to the City.

- In total, the City has paid $123.3 million to City employees on military leave, including $79.4 million paid to NYPD employees and $13.2 million to FDNY.

- After salary reimbursements, the City has spent $65.6 million since September 11, 2001 to fill salary gaps between City pay and military pay, with $40.9 million specifically funding first responders.

- Of the $92.6 million paid to first responders, an estimated $43 million has been refunded to the City, leaving the City to pick up a $49.6 million tab.

- Currently, there are a total of 488 City employees on leave, including 281 NYPD employees and 59 FDNY employees.

Typically, when City employees are called up for active duty, they forfeit their regular paychecks, and take their new paychecks from the military. Under most circumstances, this amounts to taking a pay cut.

To honor the service of New York’s City employees, the City has set up a program to make up the difference in their salaries – so that the families of men and women deployed overseas are not put under additional financial hardship.

For example, if Mr. Smith makes $55,000 annually as an NYPD officer and his military salary is $45,000, serving in the military would normally mean taking a $10,000 pay cut. Instead, the City continues to pay Officer Smith $55,000 annually, the military pays him $45,000 and he must refund to the City the lesser of the two – in this case the military pay. In the end, Officer Smith gets paid $55,000 – his City salary – to serve in the military.

Under Weiner’s comprehensive revenue sharing proposal, the Federal government would provide cities and states with $40 billion in aid, part of which would reimburse the City for the $10,000 it expends to fill the gap between Officer Smith’s City pay and his lower military pay.

NY1-Weiner: Wars In Iraq, Afghanistan Taking Costly Toll On New York City Taxpayers

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The ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are taking a financial toll on city taxpayers, according to a study released Monday by Representative Anthony Weiner.

The study finds the city is owed more than $65 million in salary reimbursements for its workers deployed overseas.

According to the report, more than 2,000 city employees have taken military leave since September 11, 2001.

That number includes nearly 1,200 NYPD officers and 251 City firefighters.

The city has paid more than $123 million to fill the salary gaps between those first responders' civilian pay and military pay, which can be much less than what officers and firefighters typically earn.

"While it is important that we honor the patriotism of those that go to serve overseas, we should realize that for every police officer that is off the streets of New York City patrolling the streets of Fallujah or Baghdad, New York City taxpayers are footing the bill," said Weiner.

Weiner has introduced a new bill in the House that would provide $40 billion in federal aid to reimburse cities that incur costs when first responders are called to active duty.

NY Sun - Weiner: Reimburse Cities for Employees Deployed to War By Anna Phillips

US Armed Services Recruiting Station, Times Square, NYC

A newly released study by Rep. Anthony Weiner, a likely candidate for mayor in 2009, is calling on the federal government to reimburse New York City for the millions of dollars it has spent paying city employees who are serving in Iraq.

The report, "Taking a Toll: The Cost of War on New York City," states that police officers, firefighters, and other civil servants who are paid less by the military than by the city continue to receive their larger city salaries and are supposed to send their smaller, military-issued checks to City Hall. But they often don't, and have cost the city $65.6 million since September 11, 2001 — "a historic loss of revenue," according to Mr. Weiner.

He has proposed that city employees be required to send the city these refunds and that the federal government give a total of $40 billion to certain cities and states that have suffered financially because their police and firefighters have been sent to Iraq.

The deployment of civil servants overseas has especially affected the city's police department, according to the study. Of the department's 38,000 employees, 281 are currently deployed overseas.

"Last month, the NYPD chose to end its policy of guarding the entrances to subway tunnels under the East River. Why? Because the cost of paying officers overtime was too high — in large part because so many members of New York's finest are on duty in Iraq," the study says.

A police department spokesman, Assistant Chief Michael Collins, said no such decision had been made and that officers are currently guarding the tunnels. "The present coverage hasn't changed in two years and that has nothing to do with anyone serving overseas," he said.

The report compiled by Mr. Weiner's office states that in the last seven years, New York has lost nearly 700,000 workdays as a result of city employees being deployed overseas.

"While it is important that we honor the patriotism of those who go to serve overseas, we should realize that for every police officer that is off the streets here in New York City patrolling the streets of Fallujah or Baghdad, taxpayers are footing the bill," Mr. Weiner said at a news conference yesterday.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly "has not seen the report, but he would not be against reimbursements for the officers now serving in the Armed Forces," Mr. Collins said.

Metro - Weiner Eyes Federal Cash for Soldiers by S. Spencer Scott

Chart detailing Day Missed by NYC Personnel - High Cost of War to NYC Taxpayers

City municipal employees have missed nearly 700,000 days of work on military deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, a report released yesterday said.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, 1,191 police officers and 251

firefighters have been called from their posts to serve in National Guard and Reserve units overseas. The report, released by the office of Congressman Anthony D. Weiner (D – Brooklyn & Queens), noted that 488 city workers are currently on military leave, including 288 employees from the NYPD and 59 from the FDNY.

In addition to the loss of what Weiner called, “boots on the ground,” the report highlighted the $65 million that overseas deployment of municipal workers has cost New York City taxpayers.

The hefty price tag is tied to a program where the city makes up the difference between a worker’s city salary and typically lower military pay.

Weiner has introduced a revenue sharing bill to provide $40 billion in federal aid to municipalities incurring costs when first responders are called to active duty.

NY Post - Reservistss' Duty Costs City $65M by Rebecca Rosenberg

Representative Weiner Presenting His Case to the Media in Times Square

More than 2,000 city workers have been called up to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan since 9/11, costing the city $65 million, Rep. Anthony Weiner said yesterday.

When municipal workers who are military reservists are called up for active duty, the city makes up the difference in salary.

Since 2001, city workers on military leave missed a total of 700,000 days of work, said Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens).

"For every police officer taken off the streets of New York to serve in Fallujah, New York taxpayers are footing the bill," he said.

He proposed a $40 billion federal revenue-sharing bill that would include aid for US cities that lose manpower due to military leaves.

Some city 1,191 cops and 251 firefighters are among the 2,082 municipal workers have been called up since 2001, Weiner said.

Currently there are 488 city workers on military leave.

"It's time that the military reimburse New York for its sacrifice," Weiner said.

Gothamist - Weiner Wants Reimbursement for War Costs By Jen Chung

The Assembled Press Corps

Congressman Anthony Weiner sounded the call for cities to be reimbursed for employees fighting in the Iraq War. Like he did last year, Weiner cites the fact that civil servants, like cops and firefighters, still get paid by the city when their military salaries are less. And since many don't send their military salaries to the city, Weiner says NYC has lost "$65.6 million since September 11, 2001," per the Sun. Weiner said, "While it is important that we honor the patriotism of those who go to serve overseas, we should realize that for every police officer that is off the streets here in New York City patrolling the streets of Fallujah or Baghdad, taxpayers are footing the bill." More info here at Weiner's website.

State To Honor Queens National Guardsman Killed In Afghanistan - NY1: Queens

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Flags on state government buildings will be flown at half staff Thursday in honor of two New York National Guardsmen killed in Afghanistan, including one from Queens.

Sergeant First Class Joseph McKay of Cambria Heights was killed Thursday, along with Specialist Mark Palmateer of Poughkeepsie. A third soldier from Michigan was also killed in the attack. The Humvee they were riding in was hit by rocket-propelled grenades.

The 51-year-old McKay, who was born on the Fourth of July, joined the Guard in 1977 and was a member of the 101st Cavalry based in Jamestown, about 50 miles from Buffalo. His unit was responsible for training the Afghan National Army.

"Nobody forced him to go. He just loved the military, he just loved it," said a friend of McKay, Newton Baptiste.

But for his family, the Fourth of July will never be the same.

"He'd always say that's my day, Fourth of July that's Independence Day, that's my day," said McKay's step-daughter Tanisha Segre.

"Everybody was just worried, from the first day he landed, he told me over here is terrible, over here is not like Iraq," said Baptiste.

McKay had only been in Afghanistan for a few months when he was killed.

"I feel for them because this neighborhood is very close-knit, and when something like this happens it hurts everyone," said neighbor Oscar Edwards.

News of McKay’s death came just a week after another Queens family received news that 36-year-old Andrew Seabrooks of South Ozone Park was killed in Afghanistan.

Five members of New York's National Guard have were killed in the last eight days of June.

Three others were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last Saturday, including Seabrooks.

Queens Soldier Killed in Afghanistan by Oren Yaniv and Stephanie Gaskell - NY Daily News

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Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay would have celebrated his 52nd birthday on the Fourth of July.

Instead, heartbroken relatives will be planning to bury the Queens soldier after he was killed in Afghanistan, Defense Department officials said Sunday.

Rose McKay (center) weeps over death of husband Joseph McKay (below), who would have turned 52 on July 4.

"I told him, 'Try to get back home. Don't be a hero,' " said McKay's best friend, Newton Baptiste, 58.

Baptiste said his buddy loved celebrating his birthday on Independence Day.

"He always said, on his birthday, everybody celebrates," Baptiste said outside McKay's home in Cambria Heights. "The last Fourth of July I enjoyed here with him."

McKay, who leaves behind a wife, a daughter and two sons, was due home on leave next month.

"Everybody is saying it can't be true," said McKay's sister-in-law Diana Coleman. "Nobody can accept it."

McKay and Spec. Mark Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., were killed when a roadside bomb hit their convoy on Thursday.

Their convoy was also hit with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, military officials said. Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., was also killed in the attack.

The men were serving with B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, based in Jamestown, N.Y., which is helping train the Afghan Army.

Five New Yorkers have now been killed in Afghanistan in a week. Just days ago, three New York National Guardsmen died.

Sgt. First Class Joseph McKay

McKay, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 1977, signed up full-time after Sept. 11. He guarded Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station in the days following the attack, earning a New York State Defense of Liberty Medal.

Coleman said her brother-in-law would give his Army meals to homeless people in the rail stations, prompting one homeless man to send him a Christmas card.

"It was truly heartrending," Coleman said.

Palmateer's only daughter, Stephanie, 19, told the Daily News on Sunday that her dad was known as Uncle Mark to the kids in his neighborhood.

"There were so many people that loved him," she said. "He made friends everywhere he went. He was really outgoing. He would do anything for anybody."

Spc. Mark Palmateer

Palmateer joined the Guard in 2003. He is also survived by his father.

"I want to thank the troops 100%, and I support them," Stephanie Palmateer said.

Newsday - Guardsman from Queens killed in Afghanistan by Erik German

Report: City Workers Have Missed 700,000 Days of Work in Iraq, Afghanistan - $65 Million Bill Being Footed by City Taxpayers

Report: City Workers Have Missed 700,000 Days of Work in Iraq, Afghanistan

$65 Million Bill Being Footed by City Taxpayers

Weiner Seeks Reimbursement for First Responders

New York City – Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Brooklyn and Queens) will release a new report MONDAY, JUNE 30 detailing the cost the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had on New York City taxpayers. Weiner’s report finds that, since September 11, 2001, City fire fighters, police officers, and municipal workers have spent nearly 700,000 days of work in Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, the City has not been reimbursed for more than $65 million in salaries for civil servants deployed overseas.

WHO: Representative Anthony Weiner

WHAT: Releasing New Report on the Cost of War on New York City

WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2007 @ 10:30 AM

WHERE: Armed Forces Recruiting Station 43rd Street and Broadway (Intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue) Manhattan, NY

Killed in Afghanistan - Sergeant’s Last Words: ‘Don’t Give Up the House’ by Tonia N. Cimino & Victor G. Mimoni- The Queens Courier

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A South Ozone Park soldier who wanted desperately to save his family from foreclosure - and who volunteered for a second tour of duty - made the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) and small arms fire outside of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan.

Andrew Seabrooks, 36, an Army National Guard Sergeant due to come home on one week’s leave from July 3 through 10, spoke with his family on June 20.

He was killed the next day.

His last words were, “I’m coming home. Don’t give up the house.”

Seabrooks’ story is truly one of tragedy.

THE COURIER/PHOTO BY NICK BENEDUCE
This is the home (in threat of foreclosure) of Sergeant Andrew Seabrooks, 36, who was due to come home on leave from Afghanistan on July 3.He was killed in action on June 21.

The two-family home he lived in at 109th Avenue and 133rd Street belonged to his mother, who died on January 30, 2005.

Her dying words to her son were, “Take care of the house and your sister.”

Seabrooks’ sister, Melissa, 39, has Down syndrome and lived with him.

In March of 1994, Seabrooks enlisted because he “wanted to protect his country.” He was assigned to Company G of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion in Jamaica prior to being assigned to the 101st Cavalry for this deployment in 2007.

He had already served a tour of duty in Iraq when, facing foreclosure and having trouble making his mortgage payments, the installer of radio equipment in cars volunteered to go to Afghanistan for the money.

He always said, “I’m not letting this house go,” according to family members.

“He was my best friend,” said a cousin, Clintso Armstrong III. “He was a joker, a great guy.”

Seabrooks was not the only casualty of the IED.

Sergeant Anthony Mangano, of Greenlawn, Long Island, Specialist Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez of Revere, MA, and Lieutenant Colonel James Walton of the 1st Infantry Division were also in the vehicle and were killed in the ambush en route to a training location. All three soldiers were assigned to A Troop, Second Squadron 101st Cavalry, based in Geneva, Ontario County, NY.

“We in the military understand that we may be called upon to pay the ultimate sacrifice,” said Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and commander of the New York Army National Guard. “But we are always saddened when comrades in arms make those sacrifices.”

He continued, “These three members of the Army National Guard died carrying out an important mission; training the Afghan forces to stand against elements that would return their country to the dark ages. We are proud of them and we will never forget them.”

Aside from his sister, Seabrooks leaves behind a son, Andrew Frasier, 15, who lives in Jamaica; a wife, Kimberly, 16-year-old daughter Shermonique and 15-year-old, Danielle, all of whom live in Virginia; son Dante, 8; a niece, Gloria Hedges; and a great-nephew, Xavier, 4.

The decorated soldier was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously.

More than 6,500 members of the New York Army National Guard have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001. Twenty-three members of the New York Army National Guard have been killed in action since then, all in Iraq until now.

Currently, 1,700 members of the New York Army National Guard are serving in Afghanistan and about 150 are serving in Iraq. Another 300 soldiers will deploy to Iraq later this year. About 300 members of the New York Air National Guard's 174 Fighter Wing are currently deployed in Iraq and about 200 other Air Guard members are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the face of the family’s loss, Hedges asked, “When is this war going to end?”