Why Democrats Can Hold the Veteran and Military Family Vote Moving Forward

Baghdad, Iraq.
June, 2003

Lt. Eddie Quan and I worked our way through a crowd of thousands of local Iraqi citizens who had shown up to vote in the first real election this town had seen in decades. Eddie and I pushed our chain of command to allow us, Alpha Battery, to hold a community vote to select the members of the new Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC). Many units simply hand selected the people they wanted on the NAC, and we did not feel that this was right. Like many of my fellow soldiers we were still under the belief that our mission in Baghdad was to bring the opportunity for "freedom" to the Iraqi people, and elections were a critical part of that.

Eddie and I witnessed dump trucks so crowded with locals that people hung onto the sides as they came riding into the Teacher College where our soldiers were hosted the elections. Iraqi's were playing drums, singing songs, and celebrating as if their national soccer team was playing in the World Cup. They were willing to deal with the incredible heat, the lack of power for the air-conditioners in the gymnasium where we held the vote, and even the fact that we postponed this election night by one week. The week prior we were not prepared and had to cancel the event because we never in our wildest imagination expected this type of turn-out.

It was an overwhelming experience to be in charge of this event, providing security to my fellow soldiers, trying to coach the candidates to say something other than just their name or tribe, and working to keep straight the ballots in a language I could not read or speak. At the same time, many of us soaked in what was a unique and inspiring event.

We will never forget that day in Baghdad. No matter where members of Alpha Battery now stand on the War in Iraq, many of us agree that this was like nothing we had ever witnessed during elections here in the United States. Today that changes.

Today, I guarantee that every one of those soldiers who made it home alive will take the time to cast their ballots.

Numerous Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are returning home to find a newly found passion for politics as we have seen first hand how America's policies affect other nations. We have also seen first hand how Washington has failed to care for our injured friends returning, the families of those who sacrificed, and the veterans who have come before us. It is this driving force that makes veterans and military families a crucial community that candidates can not ignore.

I would like to applaud some Congressional candidates who have made a real effort to reach into and engage this community. I believe the benefit of their work will pay off and the results will speak for themselves.

Jim Esch (Nebraska - 02) launched a website focused on those veterans supporting him and pledging his support to them with a comprehensive Veteran policy.

Betsy Markey (Colorado - 04) put her support of our men and women in uniform front and center on her website and dedicated an entire section to her pledge and policy.

Bobby Bright (Alabama - 02) ended his campaign with a district wide "American First" Truck Tour which featured the support he has received from veteran groups and his promise to support him.

These are just a few of the candidates who showed their commitment to upholding the Sacred Trust our nation shares with its veterans, and there are plenty of other examples. The Democratic Party must hold these examples high, and shine a light on folks like Ashwin Madia , Eric Massa , John Buccieri , and other veterans running on our ticket.

Election 2008 and beyond offers us a chance to engage this community, and it can not end November 5th.

Go out and vote today, but please remember moving forward to push the candidates you are supporting to reach out to the veterans and military families in their communities. They will be a critical piece of our majority, and will stay on board once they see how we respect and honor their service.

Comments

[gorgonzola2]

and remember, what many veterans want is to be thanked and honored for the rest of their lives, and to be paid handsomely, whether they were like majority, eating Dove bars in air conditioned mess halls, or like the lucky few, getting shot at and expected to kill baby kill.

the culture in some misguided corners of this country (Palin's real america?) is to put the military on a pedastal and don't allow any criticism or constraint on money. that is bs. and we know that has got to stop.

[SgtMac]

I spent most of 2005 stationed a dozen miles west of Kirkuk with my Oregon National Guard cavalry troop (G troop 82 CAV). During the Iraqi elections on 30 Jan '05 we were teamed up with Iraqi police at a checkpoint on the main highway that leads west from Kirkuk. The atmosphere was positively electric! All day, cars full of Iraqis passed through the checkpoint and many people proudly waved their purple-stained fingers in the air, showing they had voted. One man told me, "I am 70 years old and today, for the first time, I am really alive." It really felt good to be a part of that.
I am convinced that we started the war under false pretenses, led by an intellectually and morally dishonest administration. The original idea that we could politically re-engineer the middle east by creating a pro-western democracy in Iraq actually had some merit. Tragically, the plan was executed by a clueless and arrogant administration which has led to anarchy and disaster. Smarter policies, and more troops, in the first year could have avoided this. As you can tell, I'm a bit conflicted about this.
Because of the administrations lies and unconstitutional actions, I felt that I could no longer serve this government and so I retired from the military soon after we returned.
Fortunately, it seems that Sen Obama has the wisdom and good judgment to led us out of this wilderness.

[designingwoman]

Obama has always been the man to care for those who have served our country, while McCain repeatedly voted against many bills that would benefit veterans.

I've cast my vote for Obama and am proud to have done so!!

Obama and Biden will bring our country forward and help so many people's dreams come true.

[LizM]

Go out and VOTE for Obama/Biden!!! :)

[rmm4402]

Nice post......

Ironic that there are no other comments..­....... Veterans have never been a hot button liberal issue. Maybe everyone is voting.

I find it also ironic that the scene that you describe so eloquently would not have been possible without our current President. Is it right to assume that you feel the whole venture was a mistake??? I ask that with all sincerity since as I am always interested in the opinions of those were there, (I'm conflicted myself).

As a vet, (USMC 84-95 - 1st Gulf War), I do encourage the involvement of vets in the Democratic Party. It can only serve to make it a better, more well-rounded party, (our country is not served well when either party is weak or off-balanced). We as a country have a severe disconnect between our citizenry and the military as it is. Anything that serves to close that gap is a welcome development.

Best of luck with your endeavor in getting your party to reach out to vets.... it can only serve to help our fellow vets and the country as a whole.

Semper Fi

[Nana1234]

I, too, wish veteran's issues were addressed more during this election season. I believe then the truth would have come out. I have repeatedly heard John McCain say he will take of the troops. Every time I’ve heard it, it made my skin crawl. Anytime legislation has come up to give the soldiers much needed equipment or medical, education, or housing benefits for veterans McCain has chosen to fight against it. He even fought against the recent bipartisan G.I. Bill Benefits (which Obama worked on). When it came up to be voted on, McCain chose not to be there. I’m sure he did not want it fresh in people’s mind that he voted against it. At the same time, he continually supports giving big bucks to the warmongers running the war, so that they can keep paying their fat-cat friends.

On the other hand, Barack Obama has co-wrote and supported legislation to give safety equipment for our soldiers overseas, and to give veterans help with getting services and benefits. Veterans used to be required to pay for their own meals and telephone calls home while recuperating in Veteran Hospitals, until Barack Obama.

FYI: John McCain received a 20% rating from the Disabled American Veterans, while Barack Obama received an 80% rating from them.

[LizM]

And, let's not forget that the troops and veterans have no better friend than Joe Biden who always has their back - in every way that counts!

Until he was knocked out of the primaries, he was the only one focusing on Iraq and he remains the only one who understands what will be required to end the war and bring home US forces without leaving a failed state behind.

[Nana1234]

As far as Iraq is concerned, this story found a gleam of light in a dismal situation.

The people of Iraq do not consider us to be saviors. They feel that America has destroyed their country. People who were professionals and lived pretty well, now have to contend with kidnappings, murder, and rape. Innocent civilians have been killed, homes have been destroyed, there are home invasions and no protection. Average people are being kidnapped if they are found to have relatives or friends in England or the USA. It is then assumed you can definitely get money. Christians are persecuted if they do not pledge allegiance to Islam, often being taken away, never to be heard from again. Many Christians have, and continue to flee their homeland.

I have continually heard fellow Americans argue that the surge worked. If we had not went into this country on false pretenses, many Iraquis who lost fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, etc would not have had to suffer this way.

[Jonathan Powers - Huffpost Blogger]

Go out and VOTE!!