Alaska Inter-Tribal Council : Advocating for Alaska Tribal Governments

TITLE: A resolution pertaining to recognizing former members of the Alaska Territorial Guard.

WHEREAS, the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council (AI-TC) was established in 1992 and is charged to advocate for, protect, defend, and enhance the inherent rights of tribes in Alaska; and

WHEREAS, the Alaska Territorial Governor Ernest Gurening felt compelled because of the Japanese invasion and occupation of Attu to start the ATG to help defend the rest of Alaska; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Muktuk Marston was detailed by the U.S. Army to assist the Governor, he began travelling from Anchorage to Seward, north to all coastal and some interior villages. from Bethel up the coast to Nome, Kotzebue to Barrow, recruiting every able bodied man and in some cases woman, to serve as volunteers without pay or any other benefits and with little equipment other than a rifle; and

WHEREAS, there were over 6,600 members recruited into the ATG to serve from 1942 for the duration of WWII, the ATG units were disabled effective 31, March 1947 without even a thank you. However, many of these ATG members beginning in 1949 joined the Alaska Army National Guard then known as the Alaska Scott Battalions; and

WHEREAS, on 9 August, 2000 Senator Ted Stevens had a public law passed by the U.S. Congress making their service in the ATG the same as any other active federal service, thereby making former members WWII veterans, those that retired are over twenty years and are entitled to retirement they are currently receiving and those that did not retire but with their ATG service have over twenty years are entitled to retirement pay from 9 August, 2000 to present, in most cases over $50,000; and

WHEREAS, again Senator Ted Stevens stepped in after 23 discharge requests were being held by the U.S. Army and at the time the Adjutant General's goal was to have all living members of ATG discharged by 1 January 2005, this was accomplished. It appears that date had passed without another discharge being issued, no review was made by the Adjutant General as to why, no plan was prepared, no funds were requested, no priority was established, no additional resources were requested and no new goal was established; and

WHEREAS, the Adjutant General has the inherent responsibility for obtaining these applications for discharge for these ATG members and their surviving spouses, most who are over 77 years old. As of 31 July 2007, less then 180 have been given there discharge. Many surviving spouses are entitled to monthly benefitsof $900.00 or more from 9 August 2000, this is over $52,200.00 eash lost forever; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that AI-TC does hereby request a legislative inquiry into the Adjutant General's performance of this duties and responsibilities regarding this matter, requesting a complete accounting, reviewing the responses that have been made available of requested by the Adjutant General, from the date of his appointment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AI-TC send copy of this resolutions to Govonor Palin, Senator Stevens, and Merkowski, and Congressman Young and to each State Senator and Representative requesting immediate action be taken to investigate this failure.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of AI-TC.

CERTIFICATION

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2007 Annual Convention of the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council, held at the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, in Anchorage, Alaska on December 4, 2007 with a quorum present.

Submitted by: Akiak Tribal Community