Blunt can keep his pay; others called up can't

To the editor:

Missouri's secretary of state, Matt Blunt, has been called to active duty. I was activated for Desert Storm. Blunt wants to keep his civilian paycheck. I would loved to have kept my civilian pay when I was activated. My only alternative was a leave of absence, and that meant a loss of income. My family had to make ends meet on a sergeant's salary.

Blunt also expects to keep in touch with his office on a daily basis through phone calls, faxes and e-mail. Who's paying for this?

Being activated as a member of any military reserve component is by no means blind chance. Each reservist has a specialty. When the call comes from the president or the governor, it's because these specialties are needed in great numbers.

When I was activated, I knew we were going to war and that this was no vacation. I knew my Army job superseded my civilian job. But not Blunt. The Missouri Constitution says he can have his cake and eat it too. This is a slap in the face to ever citizen-soldier and his or her family.

I understand our legislators are working on a measure to compensate all reservists and National Guard members who are called to active duty. I know rank has its privileges, but the playing field could be a little more level. Now is the time.

TED R. HOOKER

Cape Girardeau