Children should always be the first thing we think about in any custody consideration, and the little ones having a dad or mom gone for so long has got to be incredibly hard for them too. But the GIs who lose custody of their children is so cruel in Bush's* illegal war. This shouldn't be happening to them. It just makes my heart break for the babies and their deployed mom or dad. This just makes me so sad.
Active-duty GIs battle for custody
Courts penalize them for being abroad, they argueBy Valarie Honeycutt Spears
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
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The three Kentucky cases reflect a growing national trend in which U.S. soldiers say they are losing custody of their children or otherwise being penalized in state family courts because of their absences while on active military duty.
Although the Kentucky cases involve active duty soldiers, many of the cases nationwide surround citizen-soldiers or reservists, who have been called to duty more now than in past wars and conflicts.
"We're only hearing about the tip of the iceberg," said Joyce Raezer, director of governmental affairs for the National Military Family Association in Alexandria, Va.
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But they express concern that some civilian judges in state courts are ignoring the federal Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940. That law requires a stay in court action, thereby protecting soldiers who are unable to uphold their rights in civilian court while on active duty.
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http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/news/9293773.htm