STATEMENT FROM AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ VETERANS ON NEWLY ANNOUNCED TROOP INCREASE IN AFGHANISTAN
By VoteVets.org
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Press Release
PUBLISHED: February 17, 2009
Washington - The nation's largest progressive group of veterans today reacted to news from the Pentagon that an additional 12,000 U.S. troops or more will be heading to Afghanistan instead of Iraq. “Coupled with the earlier appointment of Ambassador Holbrooke as special envoy to the region, today’s announcement that we will be bolstering our forces in Afghanistan, through re-missioning, is most welcome. For those of us who served in Afghanistan, especially, it’s been extremely disappointing to see the situation deteriorate there, with previous gains lost. Our forces are much more needed in Afghanistan right now, than in Iraq. “The President and his team clearly understand that regaining the upper ground in Afghanistan will mean not just a military boost, but a strengthening of our diplomatic and political efforts there. That’s an intelligent and proven approach to counter-insurgency, which will finally allow us to take the fight to al Qaeda where it is strongest, and make America and the world safer.” VoteVets.org is a pro-military organization of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, dedicated to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary. It primarily focuses on education and advocacy on issues of importance to the troops and veterans, and holding politicians accountable for their actions on these issues. ###
Brandon Friedman, who served in Afghanistan as well as Iraq, and is Vice Chairman of VoteVets.org released the following statement:
Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.