Texas congressman says Obama is best hope for veterans

By Bob Stuart

Published: September 30, 2008

STAUNTON — Texas Congressman Chet Edwards is convinced Barack Obama will do all he can to help veterans if the Illinois senator is elected president.

“He was touched by his grandfather’s service and his grandmother was one of the Rosie the Riveters,’’ Edwards said while discussing Obama’s plans for veterans at Mary Baldwin College Tuesday.

Rosie the Riveter was a symbol of the six million women who entered the workforce during World War II, some of whom produced munitions and material.

If elected, Edwards said Obama will fully fund the health care system for veterans, and will spend more on mental health needs for vets. Edwards said Obama also wants to hire more Veterans Administration employees so veterans claims can be processed more quickly.

Edwards said Obama is also an inclusive politician, who does not think of red or blue states, but who said “at the end of the day we are the United States of America.”

The congressman said he prefers that bipartisan approach rather than what he described as “the petty partisan bickering and deals’’ that have come to characterize Washington.

Edwards, who chairs the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, said Republican presidential nominee John McCain has a less than enviable voting record on veterans despite his heroic efforts of more than 5 years as a POW in Vietnam.

While Edwards respects McCain’s service, he said the Arizona senator gets low marks on his veterans voting record from both the Disabled American Veterans and Vietnam Veterans of America.

“Respect does not provide more medical services, VA clinics, doctors and nurses,’’ Edwards said of McCain.

Edwards, who appeared along with several veterans who support Obama, said veterans deserve the best because they have served their country and because the proper treatment will convince young people they need to serve in the volunteer armed forces.

“If we don’t treat veterans right, we will lose some of the best and brightest,’’ said Edwards of potential military recruits.

A Virginia spokeswoman for McCain disputed Edwards’ claims about the Republican nominee. Gail Gitcho said McCain “has worked tirelessly for veterans and has tremendous support from the military community.”

She said if elected president, McCain will support sensible veterans legislation, but would not support it if the legislation contained earmarks for other projects.

Among the veterans speaking Tuesday at Mary Baldwin was Staunton resident Seth Lovell, who served separate Army National Guard tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lovell is convinced Obama will fund veterans the way they should be and said he also believes Obama will restore some of America’s lost respect abroad.

“I believe we can do better on the world stage in gaining respect, not losing it,’’ Lovell said.