Idaho veterans stand up for Obama

Dozens of veterans and their families - perhaps 150 people total - turned out Thursday night for the Idaho Veterans for Obama kickoff at Boise's Veterans Memorial Park.

The evening was emceed by Obama organizer T.J. Thomson - who is now chair of the Idaho Veterans for Obama - and featured speeches by former Hillary Clinton state chairman and Vietnam veteran John Greenfield; former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, a Korean War veteran; and U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco, an Army captain in Germany during the Vietnam era. All emphasized the idea that intellect, judgment, and character - not military service - is what Americans look for in a president, and that Barack Obama is a better choice than John McCain on all those counts. Greenfield said that while all Americans honor McCain and his service, he is "110 percent" behind Obama as the wisest, most competent candidate in the race.

Thomson added that Obama has a family history of military service (his grandfather served with Gen. George Patton in World War II), that he sought membership on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and that he introduced the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act in the wake of the Walter Reed Hospital scandal.  (Click here to read more about Obama's stands on veterans' affairs and here to access the Veterans for Obama web page.)

Senate candidate Larry LaRocco noted that it was Larry Craig's inattention to veterans' issues that first inspired him to run for Senate, and it's an issue that keeps him going despite Craig's decision not to seek another term. Recounting his firsthand encounter with terrorism at the hands of the Baader-Meinhof gang in Germany, LaRocco - who has been endorsed by Wes Clark and Max Cleland - vowed to do his utmost to serve Idaho's active-duty military personnel and veterans. LaRocco expressed his support for increased pay and educational benefits for veterans; fully funded Tricare; more focus on treatment for traumatic brain injuries; counseling for veterans, including Guard and Reserve members; an increase in the mileage reimbursement for travel to health care appointments; and serious oversight "when it comes to sending troops into harm's way."

Others on hand for Thursday's kickoff included U.S House candidate Debbie Holmes; Marine veteran Greg Funk, who is running for the state Legislature in District 15; and state Rep. (and state Senate candidate) Nicole LeFavour, whose partner Carol Growhoski is a veteran.

Comments

[TJ Thomson]

What a GREAT summary of the event! Thanks, Julie! Also in attendance at the event was David Langhorst, who is running for Ada County Commissioner. Thanks to everyone for making this a wonderful kick-off for Idaho Veterans for Obama. Or should I say, "Laroc-Obama"!

[Bubblehead]

Reposting from an earlier thread per Julie's request:

I just got back from the event; I'd say there were over 150 highly energized people there. It was great hearing from Larry LaRocco and especially Gov. Andrus. T.J. did a great job putting everything together; he did us District 20 Dems proud! Only problem I noted was John Greenfield saying that Abraham Lincoln had no military experience prior to being elected President (he actually was a Captain in the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War: http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/museum/HistPeople/Lincoln.htm ), but this small inaccuracy was vastly overshadowed by seeing the former head of Sen. Clinton's Idaho organization come out so strongly for Sen. Obama.

I'm still not supporting Sen. Obama for President, but I could see myself switching my vote if Sen. McCain continues running an inappropriately negative campaign.

[Julie in Boise]

Thanks for the write-up and for keeping an open mind, Bubblehead.

[Joan E. Harman]

I had my own encounters with terrorism while serving in Germany. Probably the first suicide bombing in history occurred during the Munich Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. I was fortunate to have been miles away in Boeblingen when it happened. But, my mom, myself and a friend had been there the day before. Had the red terrorists showed up even hours earlier, we might have been among the casualties or the witnesses. There were at least 4 dead and dozens injured.