Iraqi Vet Back In the Fight

David Bellavia speaking at Vets for Freedom Vets on the Hill

This time, he's doing it at home. Full disclosure, I am an unpaid volunteer for Warrior Legacy Foundation, which was founded by David and Matt Burden from Blackfive, and I have met David and consider him a friend.

We have a rare and immediate opportunity to replace a disgraced politician with an authentic hero of the Iraq War. David Bellavia is running in a special election to fill the vacancy left by disgraced Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY-26) who resigned last week after shirtless photos he sent to a woman surfaced.

Staff Sergeant Bellavia is the real deal! He was nominated for the Medal of Honor and Distinguisehed Service Cross and was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle for Fallujah. He also received the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals.

Bellavia's heroics in Fallujah were the subject of a Time Magazine cover story and he was an honored guest of the President at the 2006 State of the Union. He is also the co-founder of Vets for Freedom and the author of the best-selling book House to House.

As a decorated veteran, David Bellavia has demonstrated selfless service to country. As a principled conservative he is right on the issues. The special election will be held in just a few weeks and we need to make sure that this dynamic and honorable man has the resources he needs to win.

So please, no matter the size of your contribution today - be it $10, $25, $50, $100 or more - I know every dollar will make a difference toward victory.

Warmest Regards,

Kieran Michael Lalor

Founder, Iraq Veterans for Congress PAC

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Iraq Veterans for Congress PAC (IVC) is a federally registered political action committee supporting the congressional campaigns of conservative veterans. IVC looks for veterans who are determined to become a voice for our troops, military families and hardworking patriotic Americans who believe that our country, our Constitution and our way of life are worth fighting for. IVC was founded in 2007 by Kieran Michael Lalor, a Marine Corps Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Conservative Challenger for 3rd District

I just recieved the phone call I've been wating over a year for.

This blog is proud to be the first to announce that we have a candidate to challenge Bobby Scott for the 3rd Congressional District in Virginia.

Coby Dillard is forming an exploratory committee.
He will be on BlogTalkRadio on 13 November talking about hs plans.

Some of you will recognize the name. He has been an active participant in Vets for Freedom and worked to elect Bob McDonnell as our new Governor. He is a Virginia native, raised in Richmond, grew up in the 3rd District. He enlisted in the Navy and now calls Norfolk his home.

Knowing Coby personally, I can state without reservation that he will be the type of representative the 3rd District can elect and know he will carry our conservative principles to Washington.

BRAVO ZULU!!!!!!!!!!!
OOOOOOOOOORAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Jim Gilmore/VFF Update

http://www.jimgilmoreforsenate.com/?q=node/605

Vets for Freedom PAC Endorses Jim Gilmore for Senate

Veterans for Gilmore Press Conference
2:30pm GAB House Briefing Room - 910 Capitol Street Richmond, VA

VA Vets for Freedom Update

Today, Vets for Freedom is releasing our second TV ad in the “Four Months for Victory” campaign. The ad, “Some in Washington,” contrasts the thoughts of Washington lawmakers on the surge with the realities on the ground in Iraq. The ad will be running in Virginia, and is available here.

Yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama gave an address in Washington, DC on his plans for Iraq and Afghanistan. Here’s some excerpts:

· It has been 18 months since President Bush announced the surge. As I have said many times, our troops have performed brilliantly in lowering the level of violence. General Petraeus has used new tactics to protect the Iraqi population. We have talked directly to Sunni tribes that used to be hostile to America, and supported their fight against al Qaeda. Shiite militias have generally respected a cease-fire. Those are the facts, and all Americans welcome them.

· In the 18 months since the surge began, as I warned at the outset - Iraq's leaders have not made the political progress that was the purpose of the surge. They have not invested tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues to rebuild their country. They have not resolved their differences or shaped a new political compact.

Here’s what some of our local representatives had to say on the surge when President Bush announced it in 2007:

· “None of the previous surges in troop levels had any lasting effect on the war, and there is no credible reason to believe that this surge will be any different.” Floor Remarks of Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3), on Feb. 16, 2007
· "The President's 'surge' proposal will only result in a surge in the number of U.S. soldiers injured or killed in Iraq. Rep. Jim Moran (VA-8), on Jan. 9, 2007
· “We need a new direction.” Sen. Jim Webb, in the Democratic response to President Bush’s 2007 State of the Union Address

We have that new direction. More importantly, it’s working.

This year alone, the Iraqi government has passed laws on de-Baathification and criminal amnesty, and defined the power structure between Iraq’s central government and the Iraqi provinces. The provincial powers law provided for provincial elections to be held this year or early next, allowing Iraqis to again set the course of their country democratically.

Since the surge began in 2007, the Iraqis have contributed more and more to their country’s reconstruction and security. Iraq’s budget in 2007-when the surge began-allocated $10 billion for reconstruction, an increase of 21% over the previous year’s budget. It also provided for $73 billion to be spent on security for the country. The 2008 budget has $11 billion budgeted for reconstruction and capital investment.

The point of our campaign is to get the facts out to the people of Virginia so that they are well informed on both the military and political progress being made daily by the Iraqi people, with the assistance of our brave men and women in uniform. With that in mind, I’m asking you to forward this email to ten of your friends and associates this week, and ask them to sign up to support our efforts in Virginia.

In the coming weeks, Virginia Vets for Freedom will hold our first organizational meetings in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. These meetings will allow you to learn more about Vets for Freedom, meet the state leadership, and learn more about our state strategy for the upcoming months. Also, look for similar updates each week in your email.

I look forward to working and meeting with all of you in the near future. Working together, we can make Virginia Vets for Freedom the loudest voice for victory in the Commonwealth!!

Coby Dillard
State Captain
VA Vets for Freedom

Vets for Freedom

On July 9, 2008, Vets for Freedom (VFF) kicked off a nationwide campaign entitled “Four Months For Victory.” This grassroots effort, combined with a $1.5 million media buy, will remind Virginians of the importance of success in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the War on Terror as a whole.

VFF was founded two years ago by combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Today, our organization carries membership of 25,000 in all fifty states. The Virginia organization has 350 registered members, as well as countless supporters. We represent the courage, conviction and commitment of the thousands of service members in the Commonwealth, many of whom are still on the front lines working every day to complete their mission-defeating al-Qaeda and Iranian backed militias in Iraq, and helping to stand up a stable, democratic, and allied Iraqi government.

Our country’s strategic victory in Iraq is essential to our national security. A premature withdrawal will have severe consequences and endanger-if not completely end-the progress being made by the Iraqi government and military. Evidence of this progress is seen in the following facts:

§ Civilian casualties in Baghdad have decreased by 90% since June 2007
§ Overall attacks in Iraq have dropped by 70% since June 2007
§ The month of May 2008 marked an 86% decrease in American casualties as compared to May of 2007 - the lowest since 2003

We are not advocates for an indefinite military presence in Iraq. We know our brave servicemen and women will return home with the honor befitting their service. However, any withdrawal must be done carefully, and as conditions on the ground in Iraq permit. Our service members understand the grave consequences of a hasty withdrawal based on arbitrary timelines, and Virginia Vets for Freedom is their voice in the Commonwealth.

It is important to note that we are not an attack organization, nor are we affiliated with any political campaign or party. Supporting our troops is not a political or partisan issue. We are advocates on only one issue: our nation’s victory and success in the War on Terror. While we will-and should-question those elected officials who do not support this goal, Virginia Vets for Freedom will stand with anyone who is an advocate for our military and their mission.

Our first television ad, "Finish the Job," is airing in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, and can be viewed at http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?id=305. I also invite you to our Virginia webpage, http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/states/VA/. Over the next four months, we will combine additional advertisements with grassroots recruitment and other events. Together, Virginia Vets for Freedom will stand with the people of Virginia to send a clear message to our national leaders: Let Us Win!

Another Video Answer To MoveOn

Here is the video of Ania Egland, wife of Major Eric Egland, OIF/OEF veteran and candidate for Congress.


I forwarded the email CJ sent me with Major Eglands wife to my friend Chris over at Modern Conservative.
He has penned an article you must read to appreciate.
Chris is deeply committed to defeating the forces of the extreme left. Not just defeating, making them irrelevant.

You can read his post here.
Here's a small sampling:

Just like the sacrifice of Leonides and the 300 reverberates to this very day, in the free air we breathe, so too does a comparison between two women of today:Recently, MoveOn.org put out an ad called "Not Alex." It features a young mother, holding her son. It is, needless to say, an "anti-war" ad.

Here is the text:"Hi, John McCain; this is Alex. He's my first. So far, his talents include trying any new food and chasing after our dog — that, and making my heart pound every time I look at him. So, John McCain, when you said you would stay in Iraq for 100 years, were you counting on Alex? Because, if you were, you can't have him."

This women says that John McCain—and by extension this great nation—cannot have her son.But this cowardly woman—who most likely mated with a cowardly wisp of a man—doesn't realize something vital: John McCain won't take her son. Neither will the military. She doesn't decide for him, at age 18 months or 18 years. When he grows, he will decide—as a free man—whether to wear the uniform of his country.

A Message From Our Friends At Vets For Freedom

H/T Blackfive
Ben Hayden
Iowa State Captain, VFF

As America moves closer to November, we need to be informed on the issues. One issue that is very misunderstood is the war in Iraq. A number of Americans are basing their decision in the 08’ elections on this topic, which makes it extremely important to be well educated on the issue. It is also important because America has invested so much into Iraq, both financially and physically.

Typically, when we have to make an educated decision we don’t do so based on feelings alone. We do so with the aid of research and knowledge on the topic. When making an important medical decision we don’t turn to our mechanic, we turn to our doctor, and vice versa. So why, when making an important decision about whether or not to stay the course in Iraq, would we listen to someone other than the experts? Why would we make such an important decision, a decision that carries with it so many lives and so much money, without listening to the men and women that have been there? The Hero’s that have given so much, yet asked for so little in return.
Some say that we have failed in Iraq. This is detrimental to the moral of our troops. Say what you want about the President and his Administration, but don’t tell our troops that they have failed, because they haven’t. They have achieved success and are continuing to achieve more and more. In November, Iraq will hold its first provincial elections. This proves success. Iraq now has an Air Force and an Army, with their security forces numbering over 540,000 people. Over the past year they have seen enormous economic gains and will continue to grow economically in the months to come. They are now outspending the U.S. ten to one on major reconstructive projects.
As a Marine Veteran that served two tours of duty in Iraq, I know how important success there is. I know how important it is that America knows the truths about Iraq. I can assure you that the experts, the men and women that have been there fighting, know the importance of success and want our help in winning the war on terror. Help them, help us.

Vets for Freedom Endorses McCain-Graham Bill

Vets for Freedom Supports Revised GI Bill
STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2008
(Washington DC)

Vets for Freedom urges Senate members to work together to pass a GI Bill that not only addresses the immediate need for increased financial and educational benefits, but that also takes into account the unique dynamics of today’s all-volunteer force. The US military is working hard to increase its ranks in order to meet strategic needs across the globe; and as a result, it is imperative that recruitment and retention are both addressed as part of any GI Bill.

The Webb Bill correctly recognizes the rising costs of secondary education, and the importance of pegging yearly benefit increases to educational inflation indices, rather than the Consumer Price Index, which would require Congress to revisit the issue in a few years. The Webb Bill also allows for the accrual of Active Duty benefits for Reservists and National Guardsmen, many of which have seen repeated deployments.

On the other hand, the McCain-Graham Bill substantially increases monthly educational benefits and could be implemented immediately; while the Webb Bill would take over a year to implement and would require a new layer of Pentagon bureaucracy. The McCain-Graham Bill also rewards troops who remain in the military, providing strong incentives for our best and brightest to continue their service and support a growing force. "Both the Webb and McCain-Graham bills have valuable aspects that address the needs of our military and our men and women in uniform." said Pete Hegseth, Executive Director of Vets for Freedom. "Vets for Freedom trusts that those involved will work toward a compromise to integrate the best aspects of both bills, and ensure its passage and implementation in a timely manner.

"Vets for Freedom is a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand knowledge to issues of American military strategy. For more information, please visit www.vetsforfreedom.org.

A Candidate Speaks

SSgt David Bellavia, Medal of Honor Nominee, an honest to God American hero, and candidate for Congress from upstate New York. (Tom Reynolds district) Rochester

"Our patriotism demands the just defense of our nation and the promotion of freedom and liberty in places where there is none," he said. "As a soldier it often appears that our civilian leadership in Congress gravely misunderstand the consequence of victory or defeat in Iraq and Afghanistan today. Their will to win has been replaced by political maneuvering and partisan politics."

From Bob Loonsbury ya gotta go read the whole thing.

H/T to my buddy RV in Rochester.

....we’re in real danger of entering a Twilight Zone of leftist anti-Americanism and Democratic scorched-earth partisanship. When the Democrats hold all the reins of power, they’re going to bring out the long knives.
And it’s going to take somebody with a pair of brass ones to stand up to them.
No Republican in the House is going to have any legislative power, but David Bellavia can have rhetorical power. He can take his few minutes a day in the well of the House and let freedom ring. He can be a guest on the talk shows, he can be in the debates, he can call a spade a spade.
His demeanor, his verbal skills, his shiny medal, his cockiness will all give him a platform, and he will make sure that platform gets used. No mealy-mouthed go-along to get-along, he’ll go toe-to-toe with anybody of a matter of patriotic principle.
He’s a fighter and a patriot.
And that’s what the Congress needs. That’s what the 26th needs. That’s what America needs.
The problem is, there’s a little bit of foot dragging. It sounds a little bit like some in the Republican Party leadership through the 26th District aren’t that keen on David Bellavia.
Part of the problem is that he hasn’t paid any dues or kissed any backsides. Order is maintained in a political organization by doling out perqs and positions to sycophants. That’s not the way David Bellavia operates.
Some Republican leaders are worried that, at his young age, if they accept him as their candidate, they are possibly giving out a very valuable position that he may hold for decades.
It’s no fun being a king maker if you don’t get to make a king. David Bellavia isn’t beholden to the party’s leaders, and he has skipped the entire process the party uses to groom and produce senior politicians.
And that’s too bad – for them. For people outside the small rooms of the Republican leadership, however, it means nothing.

Vets for Freedom on Glenn Beck Tonight

Vets for Freedom winds up it's National Heroes Tour tonight in New York with an appereance on the Glenn Beck TV Show on CNN Headline News.
Should be fun.

This Should Be Fun

According to WRVA Radio, Del Bill Janis, 56th District of VA, will be subbing for the Lee Brothers Saturday morning.
If my plans work, I'll be calling in from Fayetteville, NC with the Vets for Freedom Heroes Tour.

The Left Has No Heroes, The Principal Has No Cajones

and yet MORE from SSgt Bellavia:


Another UPDATE: As if you needed a reason to watch the video, here is one more:

My friend Rochester Veteran, who spent the day with Carter and me in DC during the EaglesUP Rally, is reporting that SSgt.David Bellavia (Bell-a-via), Medal of Honor nominee, will run for the House seat being vacated by Tom Reynolds. Watch SSgt Bellavia in the video; the first time I saw that this morning my first thought was: "This guy would make a great Congressman". I just received an email from RV informing me that this was, indeed, going to be the case. OOOOOOOORAHHHHHHH!!!!!

Our NEXT Greatest Generation is continuing their service to our Nation.


UPDATE:
This video is so worth your time.


Thank you Uncle Jimbo, Pete, David, Matt, Marcus, Jeremiah, for your service and dedication.

Here is a poll you can weigh in with: Star Tribune

OK I stole that one, too but altered it slightly. Uncle Jimbo will probably set me down and explain the facts of life when I see them in Fayetteville, but I can handle it.

Apparently the principal has no principles, or honor, or respect for service, or sense of decency, (or cajones), according to reports on Blackfive this morning.

I'll just go off on a tangent if I start in on this, so jump over to Uncle Jimbo's post and read for yourself.

Michelle is at her best, and there are links to audio from David Bellavia, with some more comments from Uncle Jimbo.

Now for the rest of the story: This was't just any random high school in Minneapolis, it was Pete Hegseth's alma mater. It was HIS high school, from which he graduated in 1999. (which by the way, makes him one year older than my son.)

Winter Soldier Roundup

Winter Soldier II, or as I like to call it, "those delusional lying bastards", is over.

Here is a roundup:

Update and moved to top: I just found another GREAT blog: VeteranAmerican. Just scroll down and enjoy.

Of course, to start there is everyone's favorite Marine: every hippie's favorite Daddy, Concrete Bob.

Then there is Ronald Winter, who is, demonstrably, very intelligent since he links to Bob.

Denis Keohane, at Orbiter Dictum, has a Reporters’ Guide: Winter Soldier Investigation 2008
along with many other IVAW posts.

The Real News on You Tube is chock full of video goodies about Winter Soldier.

And of course, there are the Vets for Freedom. Check out the Troop Blogs.

The Democracy Project has quite a few entries, including one showing just how "balanced" the Washington Post is in their coverage. Just scroll through the site.

John Kerry (Did you know that he served in Viet Nam?) gets confronted about WSII on a video link at Illusion Or Reality.

Pictures of the GOE March in DC at Marooned in Marin.

Great pictures and video at MidnightBlue. Did you hear me? Video! Scroll down, more than one post on patriots.

And the Sniper is on target.

Jonn Lilyea nails it in seven indepth posts about WSII and the GOE rally. Click on the "Recent Posts" over on the Right to find them.


And a fun time was had by all. Wish I could have gone.