Commentary; Posted: 10/3/07
Show military families your support
Rep. Bob Dettmer
Guest Columnist
Recently I had the honor to travel to Washington, D.C., and gather with hundreds of people, many of them Gold Star or Blue Star families, to show our support for our troops and their mission. We had the opportunity to talk with President Bush about the importance of completing the mission, and to urge our congressional delegation to fully support and fund our troops and the mission which has been given to them.
It was a great chance for military family members to gather and show their support for what their sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers are doing for us overseas. The event in Washington was a great opportunity for us to remind our Congressional delegation about the importance of the mission our troops are doing.
During our time in Washington, we were honored with a breakfast reception on the South Lawn of the White House. I had the honor and privilege to meet with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during the reception. I was able to personally thank them for their service to our country and to let them know we stand with them in their support of our troops and their mission.
Even with our local troops back home in Minnesota there is work that needs to be done to help them. Upon their return there was some confusion with their G.I. Bill benefits.
They were brought home just one day before they were to qualify for full benefits. I have been working with Sen. Coleman and Congresswoman Bachmann to ensure these brave soldiers receive the benefits they are due.
As a member in the U.S. Army Reserves, with two sons who are captains in the Army, and both whom have served overseas, I understand the necessity for our troops to be victorious in their mission. My family is a member of the organization Families United for our Troops and Their Mission, and I would encourage each and everyone reading this to consider supporting this organization.
They are a grassroots organization made up of Gold Star families, those who have lost a loved one in military service, and Blue Star families, those who currently have a loved one serving in active duty, and many other Americans who thank and support our troops for everything they are doing. To learn more about this wonderful organization please visit their website at www.familiesunitedmission.com”
— Rep. Dettmer may be reached at rep.bob.dettmer@house.mn or 651-296-4124. Mail should be sent to: 329 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
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