FORT HOOD, TX — The household of the Fort Hood soldier whose physique was present in a Killeen subject is now coping with making funeral preparations. Nevertheless, for the reason that Military has declared Gregory Morales as AWOL, the household is studying he is not going to obtain a navy funeral.
The Wedel household is reaching out for assist to alter his deserter standing so he can get a correct navy burial.
Not solely is the Wedel household having to cope with dropping their liked one, now they’re searching for assist from Congressman John Carter to assist them combat and clear Gregory Morales’ identify.
When Gregory Morales disappeared in August 2019, the U.S. Military put down the rationale for his disappearance as having gone AWOL. And even after his stays have been discovered in a subject on June 19, he’s nonetheless listed as a deserter.
“It is irritating and unhappy, as a result of like I stated he gave his life, and was keen to offer his life for his nation and was deployed twice. They’re simply treating him like trash, like he does not matter,” stated Nick Wedel.
The household is upset as a result of now the Military is saying the household is chargeable for the price of bringing Morales dwelling and for the funeral prices.
“We won’t do a navy funeral, as a result of he is thought-about a civilian and mainly a legal. So something that we wish to do, we must pay for ourselves. The life insurance coverage… we do not get the life insurance coverage and we do not get to bury him with navy honors like we wished to subsequent to his uncle and his grandfather who’s a retired main and the place he needs to be buried,” stated Nick Wedel.
After 6 years of service, Morales was just a few weeks away from finishing his service to his nation. His mom, Kim Wedel, says her son would have by no means have uncared for his duties.
“He knew he was being launched on September 10, so a month, lower than a month, he would’ve been gone and residential. It is simply not what he does. He was all the time the man selecting up the items for everyone else, and I do not suppose he would’ve completed that,”stated Kim Wedel.
The household is looking for assist from U.S. Consultant John Carter to assist clear their son’s identify and produce him dwelling with honors. Consultant Carter advised KXXV in a press release that he’s praying for the Wedel household and has reached out to Fort Hood to advocate on behalf of Gregory.
Gregory’s brother says the Military is ready for post-mortem outcomes, however they stated that they will not clear his deserter standing except he has been useless for ten months.