Arlington Grave of “Unknown US Solider”

May is “Military Appreciation Month” in Virginia

GOVERNOR KAINE DESIGNATES MAY AS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

 

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that he has declared May as “Military Appreciation Month” in Virginia , and is encouraging all citizens of the Commonwealth to join in recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by Virginia-based military personnel and their families.

 

“We’re proud of these men and women and their dedication to the defense of our nation and the Commonwealth” said Governor Kaine. “ Virginia has a long and distinguished relationship with the military, and we will continue to provide resources, support and gratitude for our service members and defense partners as they perform their missions.”  

 

Virginia is home to more than 206,000 active military and civilian defense personnel, the most of any state, as well as more than 35,000 members of the Reserves or National Guard. In addition to the highest concentration of defense personnel, Virginia is home to dozens of prominent defense installations, including the Defense Department’s headquarters at the Pentagon, Marine Corps Base at Quantico , Langley Air Force Base, the Army’s Fort Lee and the Naval Station in Norfolk .

 

The Defense Department has proven to be a resilient and steadfast part of the Virginia economy, investing more than $46 billion a year in the Commonwealth – second only to California – and employing nearly 6 percent of the state’s workforce. 

 

In 2005 the General Assembly created the Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority to work hand-in-hand with base commanders and community leaders on behalf of the state, administer grants to communities near installations, and provide strategic counsel to the Commonwealth’s leadership in order to grow the state’s relationship with the military.

 

 

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VoteVets.org Ad Ties Together Energy and Security

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Dear Senator McCain (video from Iraq War Vet)

h/t Daily Kos

Barack Obama Endorsed By Veterans Group

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Lorin Walker Phone: 425.681.8661 Email:  lwalker@vetpac.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 20, 2008

Veterans Group Endorses  Senator Barack Obama for President    Washington , D.C. –The Council for a Livable World’s Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy (CLW-VETPAC ) announced its endorsement today of Sen. Barack Obama for President.   “Veterans understand what is needed for national leadership,” said Paul “Bud” Bucha, chairman of the group’s advisory council and a Medal of Honor recipient. “Barack Obama has demonstrated the judgment, energy, integrity, and temperament to be an outstanding commander in chief.” “We are supporting Senator Obama because of his hard work on issues that are important to veterans and military families, especially health care and education,” said Lorin Walker, vice president of CLW-VETPAC. Walker pointed to Sen. Obama’s proposal for a Military Families Advisory Council as a great step forward in caring for military families.  “The differences between McCain and Obama on veterans issues are clear,” Walker added, noting Obama’s support – and McCain’s opposition – to the New GI Bill of Rights. “On veterans’ issues, Obama is the winner.” “Senator Obama has strongly supported the legislative priorities of many non-partisan veterans groups while McCain has voted against them,” said Col. Richard Klass (USAF, ret.), president of CLW-VETPAC, noting that Sen. McCain receives low scores, especially in comparison to Obama, on legislative scorecards put out by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).  According to Klass, Sen. McCain has proposed limiting VA health care to those with direct combat wounds only, the first step in a misguided attempt to privatize VA health care and dismantle one of the best and most cost effective health care systems in the country.   “Senator Obama honors this nation’s sacred trust with its veterans,” concluded Klass. “ThoughSenator McCain heroically kept faith with his fellow prisoners of war in Vietnam , he has broken faith with his fellow veterans at home.” Note:  Lorin Walker and Col. Richard Klass will be available for interview and comment at theDemocratic National Convention in Denver .

Memorial Day and the 21st Century GI Bill

I hope that while you are celebrating Memorial Day you take time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of those who died defending our nation. Democrats believe that we should also remember our obligation to them by honoring our service men and women every day, and why we support passage and implementation of the revised 21st Century GI Bill.

For Democrats it’s hard to believe the Bush administration and Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, will not support the revised 21st Century GI Bill. Two reasons have been given, one is cost and the other is that if we reward veterans too well they won’t reenlist. Both these arguments have a very hollow ring to them.

The revised 21st Century GI Bill’s cost is estimated at $5 billion per year over the first 10 years. Is that too high a price to pay for those who put their lives on hold and on the line for the rest of us? Shouldn’t that be measured versus the $12 billion per month this administration spends to occupy Iraq?

Doesn’t saying that the increased benefits will harm retention efforts diminish the very real and substantial contribution of the individuals who serve only one enlistment in our “all volunteer” military? Doesn’t tying increased benefits to longer service make a mockery of our Nation’s long-held concept of the citizen-soldier? I agree with Senator Jim Webb, providing a modern 21st Century GI Bill will instead improve recruitment efforts.

This Memorial Day I hope you remember our fallen by supporting the 21st Century GI Bill that will, in a small way, help to repay members of our armed forces for their service to our country.