GI's death a battleground for mom, dad

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0311130154nov13,1,3624906.story

GI's death a battleground for mom, dad

By Russell Working
Tribune staff reporter

November 13, 2003

GENOA, Ill. -- In the eyes of his anti-war mother, Brian Slavenas was a man of peace who died while reluctantly serving in a conflict he disagreed with.

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The body of the Illinois National Guard helicopter pilot--shot down Nov. 2 in an Iraqi attack that killed 16 U.S. soldiers--was returned Wednesday to his hometown, where a visitation was held in Faith United Methodist Church.

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EDITED BY ADMIN FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS

I'm curious. Did Lt. Slavenas have a life insurance policy through the National Guard? And if so, is the mother of Lt. Slavenas the beneficiary?

... and I'm not sure how we would check this, unless of course, you want to call her up, which would be insensitive right now.

I'm glad you pointed out that it would be insensitive because I had the phone up to my ear and her phone number half dialed.

:eyes:

In World War II, the Army offered a life insurance policy to GIs that was worth $10,000. A huge sum of money for that day and age. And I was curious, that if a policy exists and she is the beneficiary of that policy, would she accept the money. I don't mean to be incendiary about this but it seems to me that she is a woman of principal. As such, I think that it's hypocritical to accept the money (not that she isn't entitled to it). She won't allow the military to give her son a burial but she'll take their money.



EDIT: spelling & one article is saying he was a NG pilot and another is calling him an Army pilot, so I'm not sure which branch of the military he belonged to.

and use every last cent to donate to organizations like moveon.org, anti-war groups etc.

:hi:

Welcome to DU!! :toast: