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| Have you heard about the Pentagon‘s new Distinguished Warfare Medal?It ranks above the Purple Heart and is awarded to drone operators and cyberwar practitioners for “extraordinary achievement” in a post 9/11military operation.
A number of VoteVets members have expressed their opinions about the distinction, but we want to hear from you, as well. Do you think the medal should rank above the Purple Heart? Let us know here: http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal Here’s a few of the comments we received on our Facebook page: Christopher C. No problem with the medal itself. Serious problem with its hierarchy ranking: It should not be above medals awarded for combat actions. I am seriously surprised that anyone would think it is reasonable to giving it that level of precedence. Ethan C. I think their service should be recognized with some kind of award but combat valor medals recognize real life and death situations on the actual battlefield. Combat awards should be given the highest placement. Let us know what you think and we’ll be sure to share your thoughts with Senator Hagel after he’s confirmed as our next Secretary of Defense. http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal There’s been a lot of conversation about the new medal in the traditional media and online. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, as well. Best, Jon Soltz Iraq War Veteran Chairman, VoteVets.org |
Tag Archives: Iraq War
Jon Soltz, VoteVets.org
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| Did you watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address last night?
From reforming immigration and education to a focus on job creation and an overdue drawdown in Afghanistan, the president laid out a vision for the next four years that we can all be proud of. But if the divided ovations were any indication, the work ahead won’t be easy. There is one issue, however, that has overwhelming public support among Democrats and Republicans: taking common sense action to reduce gun violence in America. Veterans make extremely powerful messengers on this issue, and the president needs us if he’s going to sign a bill. Veterans have seen, first hand, the carnage that assault weapons cause. We’ve had to go through background checks to get into the military and handle a weapon. Our troops in combat aren’t even authorized to attach magazines with more than 30 rounds to their semi-automatic weapons. There’s no reason we should authorize it for anyone here at home. We’re going to engage on this one, and I’m thankful that we’ll be in it together. Thanks for your support. Jon Soltz
PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS ACTION FUND |
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Our new ad that extreme conservatives will hate
Rep. Jeff Flake. He is one of the most extreme conservatives ever to run for the Senate. The people in Arizona know it.
What the people may not know is how Flake has already and plans to hurt veterans. That changes today, with this new ad from VoteVets.org and Majority PAC.
We’re putting $280,000 behind this ad. It’s going to flood the airwaves.
Now, we need you to help us raise another $10,000, to get it even more exposure on the internet.
In the ad, Iraq War veteran Steven Lopez from Chandler, AZ makes it clear. Jeff Flake is so extreme that he:
- Voted to cut veterans benefits by billions
- Was one of only twelve to vote against the new GI Bill
- Was only one of three to vote against job training programs for veterans
CLICK HERE TO HELP US SPREAD THESE FACTS WITH OUR NEW AD
Right now, Flake is in a tied race with Vietnam Veteran Richard Carmona. There is no doubt. When Arizonans find out about this, Flake’s credibility as a candidate will plummet. Now, you have the chance to help us take that effort even further. Please help us do that by clicking above.
Sincerely,
General (Ret.) Wes Clark
Chairman, VoteVets.org Board of Advisors
PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS ACTION FUND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE
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-Just the facts – What the Obama2012 Campaign is doing and a reminder of what President Obama has done –
First Lady Michelle Obama: “Join me in standing up for all those who have served.”
“The beginning of the Iraq war was a moment that no American will ever forget. Nine years later, we remember those who gave their lives, and honor the sacrifice of all the brave women and men who have served our country. In 2008, Barack made a promise that as President, he would bring the Iraq War to a responsible end—he kept his word. When he took the oath of office, more than 140,000 troops were stationed in Iraq. This past December, the last of our soldiers came home.
Now that our service members are home, we are doing everything we can to support our veterans and their families in the challenging transition to civilian life.
Barack expanded the Veterans Affairs budget and made it possible for more than 500,000 veterans previously denied care to become eligible for VA health care. And he streamlined the claims process to ensure that our veterans can get the high quality benefits and services they’ve earned — and get those services more quickly.
Barack helped pass tax credits to encourage small businesses to hire our wounded warriors
We also know that when our men and women in uniform are called to serve, their families serve right along side them. That’s why we’ve been working to expand employment opportunities, job training programs, and wellness services for military spouses and families — the folks who bear the greatest burden of their loved one’s deployment.
In the end, we all have an obligation to support those who have served our country so selflessly—from our veterans with special health needs, to all those seeking to join the civilian workforce, to families coping with the grief of losing a loved one. So I hope you’ll join me in standing up for all those who have served.
Visit BarackObama.com/Veterans to get involved, and to learn about all the ways your President is working to support our veterans and military families.
Thank you.”
Uploaded by BarackObamadotcom on Mar 18, 2012
Help build this campaign: https://my.barackobama.com/feb2012resultsvid
We wanted to take a moment to share what volunteers across the country have been up to:
-Opened five new field offices in Pennsylvania -Opened seven new field offices in Ohio -Recruited 65 new team leaders in Nevada -Registered 5,000 new voters in North Carolina -Made 28,000 calls in Washington state -More that 2,414 students attended the Greater Together summits
Overall, we’ve been able to raise more than $45 million in February. More than 1,552,000 people have donated to Obama for America from April 2011 to February 2012. More than 348,000 grassroots donors gave in February alone, of those donors, more than 105,000 were first time donors.
This campaign continues to be funded by folks in all 50 states giving what they can. That’s why the average donation was $59.04. Also 97.7% of donations were $250 or less.
Thank you for all the hard work done so far, and for all the hard work yet to come.
by BarackObamadotcomon Mar 18, 2012
Leave a note for the troops: https://my.barackobama.com/sharonpottervid
Sharon Potter is the first female in the state of Nevada to receive a purple heart by way of serving in Iraq. She stands with President Obama because of his continuing fight to ensure that our nation’s veterans and military families are taken care of.
In Sharon’s words:
“As veterans we’re the ones that sign on the dotted line with our lives and no veteran should have to come home and fight for their benefits.”
At 18-months old Jackson’s insurance company listed him with a pre-existing condition: ear infections. Starting in 2010 insurance company’s were banned from denying coverage to children for pre-existing conditions. As Jackson’s mom says:
“The Affordable Care Act makes it so that I know that my children are covered and that is an amazing thing.”
When Liam was five-months old his insurance premiums went up by 100 dollars a month. As Liam’s mom Rebecca says:
“It was completely unbelievable that insurance for a five month old could be that expensive. I called them and what I was told was: ‘You can change your plan or go somewhere else'”.
Since the Affordable Care Act passed, the insurance commissioner in Rebecca’s state has been reviewing the rates to make sure families get a fair deal. Because of this, Rebecca and her family received a refund.
In 2012, Liam got a insurance renewal notice in the mail, this time, his premium was reduced. As Rebecca says:
“Before the Affordable Care Act I felt totally helpless and I now I feel like there’s somebody looking out for us. I’m very grateful that the President has fought for health care reform.”
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Thank them for their service … Ron Pierce, Democrats.org
“Welcome home.”
That was President Obama’s message to troops at Fort Bragg in December, marking the end of the war in Iraq.
Today is the nine-year anniversary of the start of that war.
More than 1.5 million men and women served there over the past nine years. Some troops are still stationed overseas, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
I’d like to ask you to take a moment today to reflect on the sacrifices our troops and their families have made — and the sacrifices some are still making — and invite you to leave a message to thank them for their service:
http://my.democrats.org/Thank-our-Veterans
President Obama recently announced one of the largest increases in funding for veterans‘ health care in decades, so they can return to the care they need.
He’s also working to make sure veterans get the jobs they deserve, taking executive actions and signing legislation that provides help for them to re-enter the workforce.
It’s an important part of his promise — not just to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, but to honor our commitment to our service members.
And it all comes down to one simple principle: Because they got our backs, we’ll get theirs.
Please take a moment to honor our troops’ service on this anniversary, and if you’d like, send a message to thank them:
http://my.democrats.org/Thank-our-Veterans
Thanks,
Ron
Major Ron Pierce (Ret.)
Director of Outreach for Veterans and Military Families
Democratic National Committee
Be a Seed for Change 
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