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Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) has introduced legislation that would provide additional funding for transportation of American servicemen and women who have given their lives in defense of the nation. H.R. 3337, the LTC Todd J. Clark Hero Flight Act, addresses an oversight in the Department of Defense’s (DOD) transportation of remains policy that provides deceased service members only one flight at government expense.

“The standing DOD policy has caused great hardship to at least one Upstate New York family – and that is one too many,” said Tonko. “After working with LTC Clark’s family and consulting with the Department of Defense, I believe this legislation is something that can move through committee and gain considerable bipartisan support even in today’s conflicted environment. When families of our service members are dealing with the loss of a loved one, the last thing they should have to work through is bureaucratic red tape.”

On June 8^th, LTC Todd Clark was killed in action in Afghanistan. LTC Clark wished to be buried at Fort Sam Houston; however, his family also wanted to have a funeral service in his hometown of Albany. Clark’s family was notified that, because of standing DOD policy, they would be responsible for part of the cost of transporting their son’s body from Albany to San Antonio. LTC Clark served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was previously awarded the Purple Heart.

H.R. 3337 was introduced last week and has been referred to the Armed Services Committee. Congressman Bill Owens (NY-21) and Chris Gibson (NY-19) are cosponsors of the legislation. The legislation gives grieving families additional flexibility in the process of honoring their loved one by allowing for up to one stop over en route to a final destination.

In August, Alex Smith of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) penned this commentary regarding the policy in the Albany Times Union.

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