tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5452045424776760071.post4769381065098268502..comments2024-01-30T16:20:32.582-08:00Comments on Iowa Veterans Blog: Braley Continues Fight for Iowa Guard Members’ GI Bill BenefitsT.M. Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10169997841620289933noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5452045424776760071.post-18132379158965020552007-12-30T23:01:00.000-08:002007-12-30T23:01:00.000-08:00I recently read this letter and feel it is a very ...I recently read this letter and feel it is a very important letter for veterans to hear:<BR/><BR/>When I was mobilized with the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion of<BR/>the 133rd Infantry based in Waterloo for Operation Iraqi Freedom in<BR/>October of 2005, I knew that we were embarking on a long and<BR/>difficult mission. After being extended four months, and mobilized<BR/>for a total of 22 months, we returned to Iowa in July 2007 to an<BR/>emotional homecoming.<BR/><BR/>More than 600 of us were part of the longest serving unit since the<BR/>invasion of Iraq in 2003. During our 16 months on the ground in<BR/>Iraq, we witnessed massive waste by government contractors who<BR/>abused their no-bid contracts with the Pentagon. While private<BR/>contractors bled the U. S. Treasury with little oversight, soldiers<BR/>and Marines died because they lacked proper equipment and the newest<BR/>life saving vehicles.<BR/><BR/>Back home, we were aware that only one Democratic candidate for<BR/>President, Senator Joe Biden, kept his promises to us that he would<BR/>fight for the funds needed to produce Mine Resistant Ambush<BR/>Protected (MRAP) vehicles which dramatically reduce the number of<BR/>casualties from improvised explosive devices (IED's). When other<BR/>presidential candidates were going back on their word to support<BR/>those of us in harm's way, only Senator Biden remained steadfast in<BR/>his support, regardless of any political consequences.<BR/><BR/>While still on the ground in Iraq, many of us from Iowa resolved<BR/>that we would go back home and stand up for Senator Biden " just as<BR/>he stood up for us on the floor of the United State Senate. We want<BR/>to help make sure that our troops still in Iraq will have the best<BR/>Commander in Chief possible on inauguration day in 2009.<BR/><BR/>We also support Senator Biden because he is the only candidate with<BR/>the vision and the courage to come forward with a comprehensive and<BR/>realistic plan to exit Iraq without leaving the region behind in<BR/>mass disorder. It is clear that we need new leadership and a new<BR/>approach to allow us to start withdrawing our troops.<BR/><BR/>I hope that you and thousands of other Iowa veterans will join with<BR/>me in working to nominate and elect Senator Joe Biden as our 44th<BR/>President. No one else possesses his depth of knowledge and<BR/>experience in foreign affairs as well as the vision for restoring<BR/>America's proper place in the world community. Please join us in a<BR/>noble cause.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/><BR/>James D. Mowrer<BR/>State Coordinator, Iowa Veterans for Biden.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13599540846592306306noreply@blogger.com