DNC Announces Veterans Council Membership, Unveils "Fighting Dems" Website
April 5, 2006
As part of the Democratic National Committee's commitment to reaching out to and supporting America's veterans and military families, DNC Chairman Howard Dean today announced the appointment of regional members of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council and unveiled the Council's new website highlighting the campaigns of more than two dozen Democratic veterans running for Congress. The new website can be viewed at www.democrats.org/fightingdems.
Dean announced the new Council members and unveiled the website during a conference call with retired Army General Wesley Clark, former DNC chairman and decorated Army Reserve veteran Don Fowler, and retired Marine Lt. Colonel Andrew Horne, an Iraq war veteran who is running for Congress in Louisville, Kentucky.
"America's veterans and military families share many of the core values of the Democratic Party—including a commitment to service and a profound belief that every American who works hard should have the opportunity to succeed," said Dean. "We want to send a clear message to our troops—we stand with you while you are serving, and we’ll stand with you when your service is done by making sure you and your families get the benefits you earned. This Council will help us communicate that message to our troops, our veterans and their families."
The Council-co-chaired by retired Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, the highest ranking woman in Army history, and Fowler, a thirty-year veteran of the active and Reserve components of the Army—will seek ways to support a strong national defense, help Democratic veterans running for office, and serve America's veterans and military families. The Council will also help mobilize veterans in communities across the country to help elect strong Democratic leaders at all levels of government.
"I am pleased to accept this opportunity to help lead the Democratic Party's effort to strengthen our outreach to the brave men and women who have given so much in defense of our country," said Fowler. "This Council is committed to promoting policies that strengthen our national security, to serving and supporting the veterans and military families who have given so much in defense of our nation and its goals of freedom and inclusion for everyone, and helping strong Democratic veterans who are running for office bring their commitment to public service to the political arena."
Dean also unveiled the Council's new website, which includes a section on the "Fighting Dems"-the more than two dozen Democrats who have served their country in the armed forces and are now seeking to continue their service by running for public office, including Lt. Colonel Horne. Almost every Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran running for Congress this year is running as a Democrat because they share the Democratic Party's bold vision for ensuring homeland and economic security for every American. The new website can be viewed at www.democrats.org/fightingdems
The following are the regional members of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council:
Joe Rios (AZ): Joe Rios served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1969, most of which was spent in Vietnam.
Gen. Joseph Hoar (CA): General Joseph P. Hoar is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command.
Mick Bilney (CO): Mick Bilney is an Army veteran who served three years in Vietnam from 1968-1971. Was the chairman of national conventions for the National Association of Concerned Veterans.
Gregory Baldwin (FL): Gregory Baldwin is a wounded Vietnam veteran who saw combat in Vietnam in 1970. During his service he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.
Lanon Baccam (IA): Lanon Baccam served a year in Afghanistan with the Iowa Army National Guard from June 2004 - June 2005.
Major General George Buskirk (IN): Major General George Buskirk assumed the position of the Adjutant General of Indiana in 2001.
Jim Buterbaugh (KS): Jim Buterbaugh was a State and National Officer for the American Legion. He was appointed to serve on the Kansas Veterans Board of Directors.
Michael Nolan (KY): Micheal Nolan is a Navy Veteran from the Vietnam era and a member of the Veterans for Progress in Kentucky.
Bill Dooling (MA): Bill Dooling is a 1st Lt.(Retired) who served in the US Army Security Agency in Vietnam from 1966-70.
Jack Devine (MI): Jack Devine is the leader of Michigan Democratic Party’s Veteran’s Caucus.
Mike Evans (MO): Mike Evans was an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army. He is now a marketing specialist.
Ed Tinsley (MT): Ed Tinsley served as a short-range air defense artillery crewmember in Germany and Fort Lewis.
Gerry Finnegan (NE): Gerry Finnegan was the head of Veterans for Kerry, and is now Nebraska Democratic Party Treasurer.
Steve Shurtleff (NH): Steve Shurtleff served in the US Army as a military policeman.
Brigadier General Preston Taylor (NJ): Retired Air Force Brigadier General Preston Tayler served 37 years of active duty. In 1993, General Preston was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training.
Mike Aupperle (NV): Mike Aupperle is a veteran and retired union member.
John Boccieri (OH): John Boccieri is a State Senator from Ohio who served multiple tours in Iraq.
Ron Wasson (OK): Ron Wasson is the chair of the Oklahoma State Party Veterans Committee and a retired Marine who served in the Vietnam War.
John Calhoun (OR): John Calhoun is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam.
Jim Rassmann (OR): Jim Rassmann served in Vietnam and currently lives in Coos Bay Oregon.
Hal Donahue (PA): Hal Donahue served in the Air Force and recently retired.
Maura Satchell (TN): Maura Satchell is a military family member. Her husband is an Army Reserve Major, who served in the Iraq war.
Larry Romo (TX): Larry Romo is a USAF Reserves Lieutenant Colonel and USAF Academy Admissions Liaison member.
Larry Daniel (UT): Larry Daniel is chair of the new Utah Democratic Party’s Veterans and Military Families Caucus.
Dick Klass (VA): Dick Klass is a retired Air Force Colonel who serves as the CEO of Vet PAC.
Karen Dahl (WI): Karen Dahl is a military wife who is active in the military families community.
Bruce Drummond (WY): Bruce Drummond is a Past Commander of the American Legion in Sheridan, WY.
Chris Shannon (Democrats Abroad, Japan): Chris Shannon a veteran of both 7th Special Forces Group and the 82nd Airborne division who served from 1979 - 1987.
