Gabrielle Giffords Endorsed by Arizona Heroes

Veterans say congresswoman works tirelessly for Arizona’s military community

“Gabrielle is the most sincere, loyal person to veterans’ issues I’ve ever known. She works tirelessly to make a better life for veterans. She is the best friend veterans have ever had in Arizona.” – U.S. Air Force Retired Master Sergeant Bob Berry

Giffords for Congress today announced that leading Southern Arizona veterans have committed their support to Gabrielle Giffords.

Among the 10 Arizona veterans endorsing the congresswoman today are Sierra Vista Mayor Robert Strain, Arizona Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Joe Reagan and retired General John Wickham, who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff under President Ronald Reagan.

“These veterans are true patriots,” said Michael McNulty, chairman of Giffords for Congress. “While they have held a wide variety of roles in their service to our country, they all share a great regard for Gabrielle’s tireless and effective work on behalf of our men and women in uniform, their families and Arizona’s veterans and military facilities.

Sierra Vista Mayor Robert Strain, a thirty-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, expressed appreciation of Giffords’ continued support of Ft. Huachuca and other military facilities in Southern Arizona as well as her commitment to the military community in Arizona’s 8^th district.

Retired General John Wickham, in his endorsement, strongly praised Giffords’ record in Congress, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee. “Having worked with Congresswoman Giffords, I know first hand that she represents Arizona’s interests one hundred percent,” the general said. “She not only understands defense and veterans issues, but she provides rock solid support for them.  I strongly endorse her re-election.”

Joe Reagan, Commander of the Arizona Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), personally endorsed Giffords saying, “Gabrielle is a true champion for Arizona’s veterans. I appreciate that she takes the time to really learn about the issues facing Arizona’s military community and what she can do to help. Her passionate work for our men and women in uniform has led to concrete improvements in the way our veterans are treated, including getting critically needed funding for the VA and making sure our women veterans have access to the unique care they need. I can think of no one better than Gabrielle to represent Southern Arizona and our veteran community in Congress.

Longtime Tucson businessman Stan Abrams served as an active duty U.S. Air Force officer and later as an Arizona Air National Guardsman during the height of the Cold War. He offered a forceful endorsement of Giffords. “I have known and admired Gabrielle since she ran her family’s tire company here in Tucson. She had a strong understanding of the needs of our business community even then. She did an outstanding job during her time in the Arizona legislature and has lived up to that standard since being elected to Congress. Gabrielle’s work for the veteran community and her strong support of Davis-Monthan and the Air National Guard are especially impressive and will produce long term benefits for Arizona’s economy. I cannot think of any better champion for Southern Arizona than Gabrielle.”

U.S. Air Force Retired Master Sergeant and longtime Arizonan Bob Berry served in both World War II and the Korean War. Berry praised Giffords’ hard work for Arizona veterans. “Gabrielle is the most sincere, loyal person to veterans issues I’ve ever known. She works tirelessly to make a better life for veterans. She is the best friend veterans have ever had in Arizona.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert Gent and his wife, U.S. Air Force Retired Colonel and Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals judge Terrie Gent, expressed support of Giffords’ work for Arizona’s 8th District. Robert Gent said of Giffords, “Gabrielle is everywhere representing our district on the key issues. She cares about veterans and defends our rights. She understands the complexity of border security and takes action to protect us. She enthusiastically promotes solar energy for Arizona.  This is something we should all be doing.  It’s time to stop importing foreign oil. My wife and I are amazed that she is able to do so much for our district, and we endorse her re-election wholeheartedly.”

Local businessman Glen Kerslake lauded Giffords’ work for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. “Gabrielle is a true friend to Southern Arizona’s military installations and families. She is always among the first to fight for the needs of the base, getting out ahead of issues that are critical to our military community. The results of her work speak for themselves. Because of her support, Davis-Monthan is now home to the nation’s largest solar-powered community. Gabrielle is the kind of friend Arizona’s military community needs, and that’s why I strongly endorse her re-election.”

“As a veteran and small businessman, I appreciate Gabrielle’s dedicated service to our men and women in uniform,” said local small businessman and former Navy SEAL Nelson Miller who retired in 2005 after 20 years of service. “She understands the important role our military plays in Southern Arizona’s community as well as our economy. She is a dedicated fighter for the troops and vets who fought so hard for all of us.”

Also endorsing Giffords are Retired Gen. Bill Van Dyke and Retired Col. Bill Valenzuela. Earlier this month, Giffords was endorsed by former Arizona Army and Air National Guard Adjutant Gen. David Rataczak and Vote Vets, a coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

In their endorsement, Vote Vets expressed appreciation for Giffords’ vote for clean energy legislation in a radio advertisement that ran in the Tucson-area earlier this month. In the ad, former Arizona National Guardsman and Iraq War veteran Mark Cardenas thanked Giffords’ for supporting the clean energy legislation that will create thousands of jobs in Arizona and reduce our country’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil.  The ad can be heard at http://www.votevets.org/news?id=0326.

In his endorsement, Rataczak described Giffords as a  “tireless fighter for the 162nd Fighter Wing, working to ensure the future of its missions at Tucson International Airport as well as the millions of dollars it pumps into Southern Arizona’s economy every year.”

“I am honored to be supported by these great Arizona heroes,” said Giffords. “One of my top priorities is fighting on behalf of the men and women in uniform who have served our nation with such courage. I will continue to do everything I can for our military community and its facilities, which are not only a major economic engine for Southern Arizona but also a great point of national pride and the foundation for the unique and wonderful character of our district.”

Giffords is the only member of Congress with an active duty military spouse. Her husband Mark Kelly is a U.S. Navy Captain and NASA space shuttle commander.

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