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Father upset that Army son must buy own uniform
Monday, May 29, 2006
http://www.kmov.com/localnews/stories/kmov_localnews_060529_uniforms.357773f0.html
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Watch Donna Savarese’s report (Must register to view video)
(KMOV) - Americans everywhere paused to honor fallen heroes
Monday.
But a father in Wright City is questioning the Army's treatment of those who
put their lives on the line for our country.
Bob Simmons wears a shirt that proudly shows his son defends freedom.
Jebadiah, 19, serves in the army and will soon be headed to Bosnia, minus a
little extra of his spending money.
"About a week and a half two weeks ago he found out the army’s changing
over to the new uniforms and they're going to make them buy them themselves
and I was astounded," said Simmons.
The Army changed to new, lighter uniforms in April.
The cost for the uniforms is about $200.
Workers at Uncle Sam's, which sells the uniforms, say other solders have
lamented about paying for their uniforms as well.
Bob Simmons even contacted various elected officials about the matter.
"The contacts to Senator Bond and Rep. Hulshof, although its a holiday
weekend and I understand people go out of town, but I haven’t heard from
either of them," said Simmons.
On this Memorial Day Bob Simmons says he can’t help but recall his own days
in the Army. He was drafted in 1970 during the Vietnam War and says he did
not have to pay for his own uniform.
And says this father, if he didn't have to, why should his son?
"These people are doing a great job. They’re making a big sacrifice and now
the Army wants to charge them for their uniform. Next they'll charge them
for bullets and their food. Its unbelievable," Simmons added.
Despite the uniform controversy, service to our country runs in that family.
Simmons has another son in the process of enlisting in the Army.
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