GraniteGrok

by Paul J. Chevalier,

November 4th is quickly approaching and Americans are focused on the economy, job losses, and the high cost of filling our gas tanks.  It is understandable that voters would worry about personal priorities.  But it is critical we not forget our veterans and troops currently serving in harm’s way.

We, as Past Department leaders of the New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary, understand how important it is for veterans and troops actively serving to see that their courage and sacrifices are recognized. As a Congressman, Jeb Bradley never put OUR needs on the back burner nor will he, despite other pressing concerns.  Jeb does not compromise when it comes to supporting those who defend our liberties.

While serving as a member of the Armed Services Committee, Jeb supported better pay and benefits for active duty troops and members of the Guard and Reserves. He supported providing the necessary resources to our troops serving in harm’s way.  Jeb fought hard to ensure that our troops received enhanced night vision equipment, cold weather gear, and better systems to protect helicopters from shoulder fired missiles. He worked to pass “concurrent receipt” legislation that finally allows retired military to receive both disability and retirement benefits that they have earned and have been deprived of for over 100 years.  Jeb wasn’t afraid to break with the Bush Administration when he worked to prevent increases in drug co-payments for veterans and health care fees for retired military.

Serving on the Veterans Affairs and Budget Committees, Jeb worked hard to improve veterans’ health care benefits and sponsored amendments to the 2005 and 2006 Budgets that added over $1 billion of funding for veterans health care. He worked with veteran leaders to keep the emergency room open at the Manchester VA Medical Center and even succeeded in opening a new veterans’ clinic in Somersworth.  He is supporting a full service veterans’ hospital in New Hampshire and a veterans’ medical ID card (VA sponsored) so we don’t have to travel hours for treatment, when that treatment is available locally.

The New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars honored Jeb as their Citizen of the Year in 2004 and 2008, the first time any elected official in our state has twice received this prestigious award.

Unfortunately, Jeb’s opponent, Carol Shea-Porter, was endorsed by a national veterans organization. This endorsement does not reflect the views of the majority of New Hampshire veterans who have worked with both Bradley and Shea-Porter.  We want to assure all fellow veterans in New Hampshire, that Jeb Bradley is the person who will best represent our needs in Congress.

To prove that, one only need to look to Congresswomen Carol Shea-Porter’s record.  Shea-Porter has routinely voted against the funding necessary for American troops now serving in harm’s way. Put simply, Shea-Porter voted against funding to pay our troops, against funding for their weapons and ammunition, against measures that will fund troop protection, and against the funding troops need if they suffer from traumatic brain injuries. We understand that Americans have differing opinions about the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, when our nation asks these courageous young men and women to serve our nation in harm’s way, we believe that America-- through the actions of Congress-- must provide them with the resources they need --- without compromise.  Carol Shea-Porter turned her back on these troops for her own political purposes. Her votes against troop funding are disappointing to say the least.

Please join us, Past Department Commanders of New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars and Past Department Presidents of the Ladies Auxiliary, in supporting Jeb Bradley.   He stood with us when we needed him, now it’s our turn to stand with him.

Co-signers: