Congressman Joe Morelle Introduces Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Morelle introduced new legislation he authored to strengthen benefits for families of Medal of Honor recipients. The legislation, which is named for local Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch, ensures the surviving spouses of these brave veterans can receive the full benefits for which they qualify.

"Medal of Honor recipients are among the most selfless, courageous, and heroic men and women who serve our armed forces," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "We have a duty to honor their profound service and sacrifice by ensuring their families receive the full benefits they deserve. I am deeply grateful to the Beikirch family for bringing this issue to my attention--it is my hope that this legislation will right a longstanding wrong and bring peace of mind to surviving spouses across the country. I look forward to working with my colleagues to swiftly pass it into law."

Stephanie Beikirch, daughter of Sgt. Gary Beikirch said: "On my mother's behalf I want to thank everyone that worked to make this possible for her and all future spouses to receive the benefits my father and all other recipients were awarded. My dad lived his life for others and that never changed even to the end. The most important thing to him even through his illness was planning to make sure my mother was cared and provided for. This piece of legislation makes that now possible for her and more importantly for all generations to come. The great sacrifice and dedication that these men have given to this country, making sure loved ones are provided for through a benefit they more than earned is the least we can give them back. We are so happy and thankful to everyone who worked to make this possible. The Beikirch family thanks you for this piece of mind that our mother, and the nana of fourteen grands will be cared for the way my father would have wished."

"When a Medal of Honor recipient passes away, their loved ones, including the family of our own Gary Beikirch, shouldn't have to worry about losing their benefits--and Congressman Morelle's common sense legislation would ensure that doesn't happen," said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. "Thank you to Congressman Morelle for once again advocating on behalf of our service members and their loved ones."

Monroe County Veterans Services Director Nick Stefanovic said: "Within the Veteran community our Medal of Honor Recipients are revered, and it is important to all Veterans that those Recipients are given the respect and honor that they deserve. I spent some time with Gary during his final days and the most important thing to him at that point was that his family be cared for and supported after his passing. On behalf of all Veterans in Monroe County I would like to thank Congressman Morelle for stepping up and acting in a timely manner to ensure the Medal of Honor Pension is inherited by the surviving spouse of these Recipients. The least we can do as a country for these brave warriors in their last days is to give them the peace of knowing their loved ones will be cared for going forward. They earned it."

Currently, surviving spouses of Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients can receive the MOH pension OR the Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC), but not both. In addition to denying military families the full benefits they are owed, this provision can also amount to a loss of income--creating undue financial hardship in the midst of an already emotionally trying time. The Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act, authored and introduced by Congressman Morelle, would amend the current law to allow surviving spouses of MOH recipients to receive all benefits for which they are eligible instead of being forced to choose one or the other.

The average MOH pension and DIC amount to approximately $1,400 per month, meaning this legislation would effectively double the compensation of surviving spouses. To date, 3,515 individuals have received the Medal of Honor since it was first established during the Civil War. It marks the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces.

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