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Vets for Freedom Launches "Four Months, For Victory"We Need You!

Dear Vets for Freedom members:

Yesterday, Vets for Freedom announced our "Four Months, For Victory" media and grassroots campaign. The effort will last for the next four months, and will culminate on Veterans Day (November 11). The campaign is intended to inform the American public, and key lawmakers, about the undeniable success that our troops have achieved as a result of the surge, and the importance of ensuring victory in Iraq, Afghanistan and the overall Global War on Terrorism.

Our efforts will focus on mobilizing our 25,000+ membership to volunteer across the country to proactively spread the word. Now more than ever, we need your help. Vets for Freedom needs our members to become active volunteers.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A "VOLUNTEER" IN YOUR STATE

"Four Months, For Victory" will only succeed if our members are willing to volunteer their time. But isn't this the least we can do, with our fellow Soldiers, Marines, Airman, and Sailors still serving overseas? We need you to volunteer to write Letters to the Editor, attend events, make phone calls, call into local radio shows, and exploit targets of opportunity.

Vets for Freedom State Captains-motivated OIF/OEF veterans-are taking the lead in their states. Specifically, we have thoroughly trained our Captains in 12 target states, and they will also receive sizeable state budgets. If you are from one of the following states, we really need your help: MN, IA, WI, MI, PA, NV, NM, MO, CO, OH, FL, and VA. We will be running TV ads in most of these states as well to further spread the message.

IT'S SIMPLE: VOLUNTEER IN YOUR STATE TO SUPPORT VICTORY

During the next few weeks, your State Captain-especially from the 12 target states-will be in touch. VFF HQ will also be in touch with some of you, as we sharpen our grassroots our efforts. But we can't do anything without our members taking the next step to become volunteers. FYI: Our launch coincides with a multi-million dollar TV ads buy in target markets and on national cable. The first spot-"Finish the Job"-began airing yesterday and will run for two weeks. Additional ads will run throughout the coming four months.

Move out and draw fire!

Pete Hegseth
ChairmanVets for Freedom

P.S. This has been a great week for VFF. Our ad debut was covered by every major TV network (CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN, MSNBC), most major newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, etc..), and many local publications and programs from across the country.

Latest from VFFPAC

Dear Vets for Freedom PAC members:

As we all prepare to celebrate the 232nd birthday of this great nation, we as veterans have a duty and solemn responsibility to honor all of those who have worn or are currently wearing the uniform of the United States of America. Among the millions who share this common bond, 31 Presidents have had the honor and privilege of serving in our Armed Forces.

Today, as sacred guardians of our constitution, we are shocked that United States Senators and trusted loyal advisors to presidential candidates think that being a veteran and fighting for America is NOT a qualification to be President.

If service to one's country in armed combat is not a qualification to be Commander in Chief, what is?

For several months now we have observed the irresponsible judgment of some of Senator Obama's most trusted and loyal advisors as they have unfairly attacked the notion that a veteran is not qualified to serve as President.

Here are several examples of this poor judgment by Obama's supporters and advisors:

"I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President." – General Wesley Clark, Obama Advisor and Surrogate, June 29, 2008.

"Everything is looked at from his life experiences, from always having been in the military, and I think that can be pretty dangerous…it's one thing to have been drafted and served, but another thing when you come from generations of military people and that's just how you're steeped, how you've learned, how you've grown up." – Senator Tom Harkin, May 16, 2008.

"... I think that the notion that the members of the Senate who were in the ground forces or who were ashore in Vietnam have a very different view of Vietnam and the cost that you described than John McCain does because he was in isolation essentially for many of those year…So I think ... to some extent his national security experience in that regard is sadly limited…" – Rand Beers, Obama Foreign Policy Advisor, June 30, 2008.

"McCain should calm down"..."on using military service…" – Senator Jim Webb, Obama Supporter, July 1, 2008.

DONATE HERE TO HELP US FIGHT AGAINST VETERAN BIAS

Vets for Freedom's 'Super Tuesday'Yesterday, Vets for Freedom rolled out the endorsements of 5 more candidates running for the United States Congress, most who have worn the uniform, all who strongly believe in the mission of our organization, as well as our nation's efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Global War on Terror.

Our candidates include extraordinary Americans – patriots such as Tom Manion, who spent 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and who gave his son in service to our country. I encourage you to watch his VIDEO made in honor of his son Travis, who lost his life in Iraq in 2007. Below are all of our candidates – help us support them by visiting their websites.

Tom Manion (PA-08) is a former Colonel in the Marine Corps, successful business executive, and Gold Star Parent whose son was killed in Iraq.

Steve Stivers (OH-15) is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard who was awarded the Bronze Star for actions in OIF.

Jeff Beatty (Senate–MA) is a former member of Delta Force, to FBI Hostage Rescue Team, to CIA's Counter-Terrorism Center.

Mike Rocque (NY-20) is a former officer in the Green Berets and Delta Force.

Allen West (FL-22) is a former LTC who served with distinction in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, earning a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award

Lee Zeldin (NY-1) served in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division and continues to serve as a Captain in the Army Reserves.

Duane Sand (ND-At Large) is a Commander in the Navy who served in Iraq, and aboard 3 nuclear submarines throughout the 1990's

Kent Greenough (TN-04) is a former Marine whose family emulates service to ones country.

Tom Rooney (FL-16) served as an Army JAG for four years before teaching Constitutional and Criminal Law at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Duncan Hunter (CA-52) signed up to serve our country the day after September 11th, and served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. He remains in the Marine Reserves.

John Cornyn (Senate–TX) is a first-term Texas Senator who is active in the Senate Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of veterans and active duty military.

Dean Andal (CA-11) is a strong supporter of the military and veterans, and is a member of the Employer Support Council for the US National Guard.

Mark Ellmore (VA-08) is a Red Star parent whose son is currently deployed overseas in the Air Force.All of these men have either worn the uniform or understand what is at stake in the Global War on Terrorism, and will fight for victory if elected to Congress. Please visit our website for more information.

DONATE HERE TO HELP US ELECT THEM AND OTHERS LIKE THEM

Vets for Freedom PAC, or VFFPAC is a Political Action Committee whose mission is to help candidates—mostly combat veterans—who believe in achieving success in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the overall War on Terrorism, get elected to the United States Congress and other Federal positions. Established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on November 11, 2007, Veterans Day, VFFPAC will endorse and offer extended support through financial contributions and media assistance to federal candidates who support victory in the Global War on Terrorism.

Latest from VFFPAC

Dear Vets for Freedom members: Over the last few days, Vets for Freedom PAC has run two aggressive ads asking Senator Obama tough questions about why he is willing to meet with foreign dictators, but not to meet with General Petraeus or his veteran constituents. And last night, in a direct response to our efforts, the New York Timesreported that Senator Obama is now "considering" a trip to Iraq. We will work to ensure he makes the trip soon. We are pleased that our efforts have received attention and support from media and political leaders alike. Vets for Freedom has beenattacked by Senator Obama’s campaign; however, Senator McCain has embraced our message, telling a crowd in Reno, NV yesterday: "Now, why is it that Senator Obama wants to sit down with the President of Iran, but hasn't yet sat down with General Petraeus – the leader of our troops in Iraq?" This morning, Michele Malkin wrote: "Vets for Freedom is effective. The Left doesn’t like effective, independent voices in the political arena." Unfortunate, but true.  As a result of this reality, rather than answer our substantive questions, outlets like the Huffington Post and New York Times called on Senators Lieberman and Graham to leave our Board of Advisors, because of the McCain campaign’s internal policy regarding outside groups. As two of our strongest allies, Senators Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman have been steadfast in their support of Vets for Freedom and our mission, and we are proud to call them friends. However, as they continue to work with Senator McCain on his campaign, they must take a "leave of absence" from the Vets for Freedom Board of Advisors to avoid any appearance of coordination. This morning, both Senators sent us a very supportive letter, which you can read HERE. We thank Senators Graham and Lieberman for their continued support of the men and women of our armed forces, and appreciate their support of our organization.  Regards,   Pete Hegseth Chairman, Vets for Freedom PAC Iraq war veteran, 101st Airborne Division

From Vets for Freedom PAC

Vets For Freedom Senator Obama: When will you finally visit Iraq   Dear Vets for Freedom members: On Friday, Vets for Freedom PAC released an advertisement featuring Iraq war veteran Sergeant Garrett Anderson. The ad points out that Senator Obama was unwilling to meet with Illinois veterans, has never met with General Petraeus, and hasn’t visited Iraq in over two years. The facts are the facts, and the ad speaks for itself. Predictably, the ad sparked fierce opposition from anti-war elements (here, here & here) who accused us of being a “right-wing 527 attack organization.” Except, they forgot to do their research. Vets for Freedom is not a 527, nor an attack organization. Our 24,000 members and 50 state chapters comprise a cross-section of America’s veterans—Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, and liberals—all of which are interested in one thing: victory in Iraq, Afghanistan, and overall the War on Terrorism. Today, we are releasing a second ad, featuring Iraq war veteran and Vets for Freedom member, Specialist Kate Norley. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AD. Kate, who served 16 months on the front lines as a combat medic, asks Senator Obama two simple, but powerful, questions:  Senator Obama, when will you finally decide to go back to Iraq, to see the progress first hand? And when will you finally decide to meet one-on-one, unconditionally, with General Petraeus? The ad also talks about the incredible progress that has been made since Senator Obama last visited Iraq in January 2006: violence down 70%, civil war over, Al Qaeda decimated, political progress occurring, and the Iraqi Army taking the lead. The fact is—the surge has worked, and has moved America closer to overall success in Iraq. It’s important that veterans ask the tough questions of our prospective leaders. Vets for Freedom PAC has no interest in attacking Senator Obama; we just want to know why he seems so uninterested about what is actually happening on the ground. CLICK HERE to donate to VFFPAC to run this ad across the country