Monday, March 31, 2008

Iraq Veterans for Congress: because our military deserves better civilian leadership.

Let’s fill the halls of Congress with representatives and senators who actually understand how the military works and the dynamics of the war on terror, because they have actually been there.

With ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, now entering there fifth and seven years, it has become the longest, most demanding and intense US military engagement of the past century since Vietnam.

More than 25,000 Servicemembers have been wounded, over 4,000 killed, and suspected thousands more with undiagnosed mental health issues, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury. Additional deployments that never make the news in Djibouti, the Balkans, the Korean Peninsula and elsewhere and several hot spots developing throughout the world which could require immediate military action in places such as Iran, Syria, N. Korea, the Taiwan Strait and even Latin America are putting huge pressures and strain on military resources.

We live in the most volatile time in our history since World War II and the Cold War, and our military continues to be asked to sustain an unprecedented pace of operations across the globe, although they are painfully getting the job done and accomplishing the mission, they do so with an American society and a US Congress that shockingly continues to know or understand very little about the forces responsible for protecting their nation.

With less than 1 in 10 of the American civilian populace and under a quarter of the US Congress never putting on a uniform and serving in any branch of the armed forces, America remains oblivious to the challenges the military faces and how to resolve them.

If we want to be serious about winning the war in Iraq and the War on Terror, then lets get leadership elected to Congress who understands the situation on the ground and will quit making decisions hampering our military.

Lets get behind and support Iraq Veterans for Congress because our military deserves better civilian leadership.


Here is a message from the Iraq Veterans for Congress website and founder Kieran Lalor, United States Marine Corp Veteran.

Since IVC was formed early this year, we have seen broad and enthusiastic support from across America for the strong group of candidates who are part of IVC, and we are grateful that our message is being heard. More importantly, we are pleased that America’s voice is being heard.

Whether Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, we all shared a common goal in Iraq: victory. As Republican candidates for Congress we share a vision for America's future, her security, and that of future generations. We are unified in our commitment to relieve the Democrats of their command of Congress.

Voters want to restore leadership and honor back to Washington. Who better to accomplish that mission than our generation of warriors?

All veterans whose service to the United States brought them first to Iraq and now to a run for the House as pro-victory Republicans are welcome to become part of Iraq Veterans For Congress.

United we are capable of sending to Congress a squad-size element of Iraq vets to keep us on offense in the War on Terror, counter calls for defeat, and demand America's veterans receive the benefits they have earned.

In short, unification of all Republican Iraq Veterans will be a powerful force multiplier. By joining forces we will generate crucial nationwide grassroots support while sharing ideas and strategies.

IVC is more than a group of Republican candidates who served in Iraq, and we are here for something other than our respective Congressional races. We want to be a voice for thousands of U.S. military veterans, their families, and hardworking patriotic Americans who are tired of seeing veterans mistreated and their mission slandered.

When I brought the members of IVC together, I wanted America to have a reliable, unified voice from twelve candidates who are uniquely positioned to offer a knowledgeable, credible rebuttal to the Democrats, the mainstream media, and the constant message of defeatism and mistreatment of our troops. That’s what we’re doing every day, and we are counting on and appreciate your support.

Together, the members of IVC will a reliable voice for veterans, their families, and their mission, not only in our campaign to re-take Congress for Republicans, but for all Americans who have heard enough from the Democrats and their leadership in Congress.

Here is a list of the candidates.

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