Serrano Requests Action on
Bronx
Soldiers’ Delayed Supplies

 

Washington, DC
, April 25, 2005—Today, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld requesting action on the delivery of supplies for Bronx-based Army National Guard soldiers currently serving in .

According to The Norwood News, soldiers from the Kingsbridge Armory-based Army National Guard 145th Maintenance Company were told to store personal items in footlockers which, they were told, would be sent along shortly.  The unit departed January 7, and the footlockers, filled with important personal items, have still not arrived.  According to soldiers’ family members, they remain in storage at

Ft.

Benning

in .  Soldiers in the unit have complained that the delays have affected morale and safety, especially as some of the footlockers contain safety goggles, coveralls, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, and extra pairs of eyeglasses.

“It’s bad enough that we’re sending our young men and women to fight this ill-conceived war in ,” said Serrano.  “But when we do send them, we need to do all we possibly can to make sure their needs are taken care of.  These soldiers are serving our country under very difficult conditions, and I will work with the Defense Department to get their supplies sent out to them as quickly as possible.”

The text of Serrano’s letter is below:

April 25, 2005

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld

Secretary of Defense

Pentagon, Room 3E880

Washington, D.C.
  20301-1000

Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:

It has recently come to my attention through press reports last week that members of the Army National Guard’s 145th Maintenance Company, based out of the Kingsbridge Armory in my Congressional District, are currently experiencing equipment deficiencies as they await the arrival of footlockers containing mission critical equipment.  According to the report, the delivery of these footlockers has been delayed.

As the 145th is currently contributing to the often hazardous mission of providing security for the reconstruction effort, I believe that ensuring the speedy delivery of these footlockers would be a relatively small undertaking that would greatly bolster the safety and morale of these troops, who are serving in such austere conditions.

Therefore I, along with the these soldiers’ families in the
Bronx
, would be grateful for any action on your part to expedite the delivery of these items.

Sincerely,

José E. Serrano

Member of Congress