Soldiers With Money To Burn

Wall Street is on a roller coaster ride with the Dow dropping another 500 points Tuesday.

One thing that keeps the economy in the north country steady is our military population.

In the face of financial crisis, local business leaders say Fort Drum soldiers on their way home will provide a financial flack jacket.

When troops come home after a tour overseas, the cash registers start ringing a little more frequently.

What do soldiers buy as soon as they get back?

“Usually I go for clothes when I first get back or cars,” said Sergeant Robert McNeil.

And businesses are ready for that influx of cash.

F.X. Caprara Car Companies sells plenty of cars to soldiers and will most likely see a boost now that thousands will be returning to our area in the next couple months.

“That is our economic engine up here in the north country. We live somewhat in a recession proof area based upon our military, our prisons, our hospitals. It all comes to the one,” said Charlie Caprara.

Soldiers fighting overseas get a number of bonuses on top of their regular pay.

They each receive $100 per month for hardship and $225 for being in the line of fire.

If you add up those bonuses alone, it comes out to roughly $13.6 million per returning brigade.

Another couple hundred soldiers are expected home next week.

Little by little they’ll all return.

Not only will their homecoming be a relief for their families, but also for local business hoping to stay healthy during a time of financial uncertainty.

See Jeff Nelson’s report:

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