Provision Covers Full Cost of College for Surviving Military Children
(Washington D.C.) Congressman Chet Edwards included a provision to expand GI Bill benefits to children of fallen U.S. service members in the final 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill which funds U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The provision authored by Edwards as a member of the conference committee expands the current GI Bill education benefit to cover the full cost of a college education for all children of fallen soldiers. The bill passed the House and Senate this week and has been sent to the President for his signature.
The new benefit will be known as the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry" scholarship in honor of a fallen soldier with three young children from Edwards district.
Nothing can make up for the loss of a parent but my hope is that this sends a message of respect to every serviceman and woman that when you go into harms way for your country our prayer is that you dont have to give your life but if that happens were not going to forget your children" said Edwards Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. No one has sacrificed more than the military child who has lost a parent."
Under the current GI bill beneficiaries must serve 6 years with an additional 4 year commitment in order to earn the right to transfer their benefits among their dependents. Edwards provision extends the full benefit to each dependent child and does not impose a minimum of military service to qualify.
This legislation is as meaningful to me as any legislation Ive ever passed because who could be more deserving of our support than children whose moms or dads have died in military service to our nation" sad Edwards. If a parent gives their life in service to country their surviving family members shouldnt be forced to choose which child gets to go to college."
One such parent was Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry of Lorena Texas a dedicated soldier who saved countless lives by disarming numerous bombs including one of the largest car bombs found in Fallujah. On March 8 2006 after being cleared to return home Sergeant Fry volunteered to defuse one more explosive device in Anbar province Iraq. He found three bombs that night and defused all of them but the fourth took his life. As one of Edwards constituents the congressman met Frys three small children Kathryn Gideon and C.L at events honoring their fathers life beginning with a Veterans Day memorial in 2007. Edwards was deeply moved by the depth of their sacrifice and was inspired to author the legislation.
Sergeant Fry wasnt the only one to sacrifice for his country that night. His three children lost their loving father and his wife lost her husband" said Edwards. Having represented Fort Hood for 14 of my 18 years in Congress I have seen firsthand the sacrifice of our military families who are truly the unsung heroes of our nations defense."
How Fry" Scholarship Changes GI Bill Benefits
- Amends the 9-11 GI Bill so that children of active duty service members who have died on active duty since 9-11-01 qualify for the education benefit.
- Under the current GI bill beneficiaries must serve 6 years with an additional 4 year commitment in order to earn the right to transfer their benefits among their dependents.
- Under the Fry scholarship the full benefit is extended to each dependent child and does not impose a minimum service requirement to qualify.
- Under Fry benefit all children of fallen soldiers are eligible to receive maximum benefit under GI Bill immediately. Under current GI Bill a service member must serve 3 years in order to receive the full benefit.
Benefit expires 15 years after 18th birthday of surviving military children.
Current Post-9/11 GI Bill Provisions
- Covers tuition and fees of up to the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public institution in your state;
- A monthly housing allowance at the location of the school based on the Basic
- Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents; and
- An annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1000.
Background on Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry:
Born in Lorena in 1977 John David Fry joined the Marines to serve his country at the age of 18. At the time the Marines were looking for a few good men. In him they found the best of the best. Sergeant Fry chose to become an explosive ordinance disposal technician an EOD to protect the lives of his fellow Marines.
In September of 2005 Sergeant Fry was deployed to Iraq with the 8th Engineer Support Battalion 2nd Marine Logistics Group II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune North Carolina. While in Iraq Sergeant Fry saved countless lives by rendering safe numerous bombs including one of the largest car bombs found in Fallujah. He once went into a home to find a bomb strapped to a mentally retarded young Iraqi boy who had been beaten and chained to a wall. Sgt. Fry the father of three young children risked his life to save the life of someone elses child in a foreign land. That is the kind of person he was.
Sergeant Fry turned down a Bronze Star and a ticket out of Iraq after a serious wound. He said he just wanted to do what he was supposed to do. He was proud to be a Marine and proud to serve his country. Seven short days before this 28-year-old Marine was to be sent back home to his family he volunteered when he didnt have to to defuse one more explosive device this time in Al Anbar province. Sergeant Fry found three bombs that night and defused all of them but the insurgents had hidden a fourth bomb. It exploded and this brave Marine who had saved so many lives finally gave his own life.
Sergeant Fry wasnt the only one to sacrifice for his country that night. His mother lost a son. His wife lost her husband and his three children lost their loving father. Only the heart can measure the depth of that kind of sacrifice. Sergeant Frys widow Beth and his children Malia Kathryn Gideon and C.L. might not have worn our nations uniform but they have surely served our country through their deep personal sacrifice.
This legislation not only honors the sacrifice of fallen heroes it honors the sacrifice of their surviving children.
Edwards co-chairs the House Army Caucus and serves as the Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.
