Hundreds of Iowa National Guard soldiers have started receiving their payments for extended combat duty tours in Iraq.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley said Thursday that the first soldiers from Iowa have started to receive their respite leave benefits. Braley calls the payments "exciting and long overdue." Braley says affected troops nationwide should receive their payments by March 19.
In Iowa, the bonuses primarily affect about 700 soldiers who served with the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, based in Waterloo. The soldiers were mobilized for 22 months and returned home in July 2007.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley said Thursday that the first soldiers from Iowa have started to receive their respite leave benefits. Braley calls the payments "exciting and long overdue." Braley says affected troops nationwide should receive their payments by March 19.
In Iowa, the bonuses primarily affect about 700 soldiers who served with the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, based in Waterloo. The soldiers were mobilized for 22 months and returned home in July 2007.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
