On 12-10-2004 , 4:18 PM (by swamper) I do not have a question. Mr. Loria & Family all I can say is " God Bless" & "Stay strong". I will keep you & your family in my thoughts & prayers.
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:23 PM
Mrs. Loria was unavoidably detained.But the Lorias have both said they feel gratitude and amazement for the show of support shown them from people across the country.
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On 12-10-2004 , 4:13 PM (by deethebee01) I was very upset about what I read in the paper today. Being a vietnam veteran quite a while ago the best advice I want to give you is to have your husband join one of the organizations and there are many of them. DAV, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, etc. and they will be able to provide him with more information regarding his discharge and his medical condition. I was surprised they did not fly him into Stewart Field so he would be home already. Good Luck
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:16 PM
Mrs. Loria has been detained. But she said that Veterans Affairs has been extremely helpful to her husband and she was thankful this organization was around.
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On 12-10-2004 , 4:10 PM (by specwargru) Thanks for answereing my first question and I do feel for him and his family, It must be very hard. Will he be recieving monthly disability pay from the Mitiltary for his wounds? I know of people getting 50% of base pay for the rest of their life for knee and hearing injuries. he should get the whole base pay I would think. has the Army relief program been notified of his situation? i know the marines have a program called Navy relief to help in situations like this. Also, will he be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation?, and does that includes money for tuition and expenses, or maybe a monthly living stipend which includes his family.?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:18 PM
I don't have specific answers to all your questions. But the Lorias do expect that Spc. Loria will receive disability pay once he is fully discharged from the Army in 68 days. Mrs. Loria has also spoken with the VA about Vocational Rehabilitation, which are services crucial to a soldier with disabilities returning to civilian life.
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On 12-10-2004 , 4:07 PM (by kathyinireland) Will the army pay for a prosthetic limb and rehabilatiton for Robert? How is Robert feeling emotionally and physically?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:27 PM
He's supposed to get a prosthetic limb. He described his first ordeal as surviving the bomb - the physical injury. Now he feels like he's survived the second ordeal, fear of losing his home. Mr. Loria wavers between anger at having this burden thrust upon him, and a deep bond and respect for his unit. He said just a few hours ago that he was still in shock after getting a bill from the army for over $6,000 dollars, but he sounded like it was beginning to sink in that he won't have to shoulder that.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:58 PM (by tweffers33) I do not have a question but a comment. I just wanted to let your family know how much your husbands sacrifice means to me personally. I admire your husbands courage and abilities. Your family is in my prayers. I hope you get this all worked out and see your husband soon.
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:59 PM
Thank you
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:55 PM (by mara32181) Will Mr.Loria be receiving any money from the Army in the future? How long will we be able to donate money in his name? Just because they gave him money to get home doesn't make everything they put him through right. He will need lots of help until they get back on their feet.
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:09 PM
The Army will be paying Mr. Loria for 68 more days before his fully discharged.
The fund will remain open for the foreseeable future. Mr. Loria acknowledges that he's been through an ordeal and he is looking forward to some time to rest. He described his experience as felling like he'd been twisted from both sides and now he's finally been released and untwisted, but still sore.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:50 PM (by kathyinireland) has the army backed down on this issue or will the money still have to be paid at a later date? Is it usual for the army to charge it's injured soldiers for their special needs when they are injured during the invasion of Iraq?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:03 PM
The Army says it does take care of it's soldiers, including their medical bills, rehabilitation and disability payments once they are released from service. Most of the charges the Army wanted Loria to pay were due to bureaucratic errors or red tape. That is why Congressman Hinchey and Sens. Clinton and Schumer were so outraged. Each one said that this was bungled paperwork that should never have burdened a wounded soldier.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:49 PM (by specwargru) I am just curious as to the facts. Please don't take any questions the wrong way. Did he or his wife know they got overpaid? I know as a former marine an extra 2 or 3 k would make a big difference in my account, even as a Ssgt.
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:59 PM
Spc. Loria says he had no idea he was no longer supposed to be getting the family separation allowance. First of all, he had been receiving it all along, and while he was at Walter Reed Medical Center he was still a long way from home. Secondly, he was recovering from severe injuries and extensive trauma. He'd just returned from combat, had lost his hand, had shrapnel throughout the left side of his body. His femur, or thigh bone, was split in two and he tore a tendon in his ankle. He had severe nerve damage as well and still suffers from bouts of excruciating pain.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:48 PM (by nymom) Dianna, first I want to applaud you for the article and helping draw attention to the situation. Secondly, to the family I am disgraced that any of our service people would encounter such a trial when they have sacrificed their lives and family time to serve. As a citizen I ask how can we prevent this from happening to other families?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:54 PM
I think the show of support for Spc. Loria was a great first step. It's also a good opportunity for people to realize how much power they have. The outcry spurred U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey and Sens. Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer to put pressure on the Army and within 24 hours this one situation was reversed. People have voices in government through their Congressional representatives. It's a good place for citizens to make their voices heard. There are also veterans organizations in every community, as well as offices of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA takes pride in its efforts to help soldiers once they get out of the military and have recently made it their priority to ease the transition of soldiers returning to civilian life. They are the right address for how our government handles soldiers once they are discharged.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:41 PM (by majorb) What is on the horizon for Robert as far as career goals?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:55 PM
Robert has a contact at Orange and Rockland. He hopes he will have a job lined up there when he gets home.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:38 PM (by catfish1234) The veterans are getting the short end of the stick again. Don't the veterans deserve better treatment this. Seems the reps and senators could do more than has been done for this young vet.
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 4:13 PM
Congressman Maurice Hinchey commented earlier today that while Spc. Loria's situation has now been resolved, there may be others. Sen. Hillary Clinton said her office has seen a number of cases of wounded soldiers not getting the assistance they need when they first get out of the military. They, along with Sen. Schumer, said they will continue to press the government to make this transition for soldiers a priority.
Congressman Hinchey also spoke today about how thin the military is stretched, and how soldier's needs are not being met. He said this, too, was a priority for the government, especially when it's at war.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:38 PM (by namsquid) I was very Upset today to hear our Govt let your Husband down , then i read he was helped and will make it home for Christmas, I'am a Combat Wounded Veteran from Viet-Nam and it has taken years to get help from the VA also, I did make some phone calls today to the Phone numbers that were in the paper and hope it may have done some good, God Bless all Active and Veterans of our Military, Are you Mad at the Govt. as i'am ?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:48 PM
Christine Loria should be arriving momentarily. But she and her husband have both been amazed by the show of support and outreach they have seen coming in for them. Mrs. Loria said earlier today that she was especially surprised by so much caring after getting "used to dealing with the military that doesn't care."
Both of them are expressing an enormous sense of relief that he's finally coming home.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:35 PM (by schofield) Hello, NO question, I had e-mailed you earlier in the day to see if we could provide some asistance to get Spc.Loria home as soon as possible, am happy to see such a postive response during the day and wife and I will gladly contribute to your fund when set up. God Bless Spc.Loria and his family and our appreciation and thanks for his sacrifices he made.
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:45 PM
I am receiving many questions about how to help Spc. Loria and his family. A fund has been set up in his name and any donations can be sent payable to the following:
The Benefit Fund for Robert Loria
Bank of New York
440 Route 211 East
Middletown, NY 10940
The Army has given Mr. Loria money to get home. He wants to drive his car and plans to leave Saturday morning. While his immediate needs have now been addressed, the family is welcoming the outpouring of support and offers for help. Loria said this afternoon he was extremely moved and he feels great.
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On 12-10-2004 , 3:33 PM (by ricktig) Why is the Army indicating that Specialist Loria owes the government money?
Response from Dianna Cahn [ADMINISTRATOR] at 12-10-2004, 3:37 PM
The Army gave Spc. Loria a worksheet showing that he owed money for a number of things. It said Loria was erroneously paid more than $2,400 for family separation pay when he had already returned stateside, and wanted him to refund that money to them. It also said that he owed the Army for a travel advance of $2,200 he received to travel from his base in Fort Hood, Texas to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. for a follow-up visit. Apparently his paperwork had gone missing. In addition the Army was charging Mr. Loria for equipment that had apparently gotten lost on the battlefield.
I should say that under intense pressure from readers and Congressmen, the Army has waived most of these charges and is in the process of allowing Mr. Loria to resubmit his travel expenses.
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