2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

DODD HONORS VETERANS; AS PRESIDENT WILL ENSURE CARE AND SERVICES THEY DESERVE
Washington, DC - Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd today issued the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:

"I join my fellow Americans today in taking a moment to pause and give thanks to all of our men and women who have served in uniform, and for those that are protecting our country today. These individuals have made great sacrifices in order to defend our values and our nation, and without their service America would not be the great nation that it is today. Over the past seven years, the Administration has echoed my sentiments in praising our veterans, but their rhetoric has rung eerily hallow, as evidenced by their failure to provide veterans with the care and services that they need and deserve. I have been fighting for these priorities for over a quarter of a century and as President, I pledge to renew America's contract with veterans and once again make the well-being and health of these individuals what it ought to be - a top priority."

Dodd, who served in the National Guard and Army Reserve, unveiled his veterans plan earlier this week in events across Iowa. Dodd's plan will:

Guarantee the timely delivery of high-quality medical care and disability benefits
Support our military families through extended Family and Medical Leave
Support our military families through extended care
Ensure veterans get the educational benefits they were promised and allow them to pass on unused benefits to their families

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON VETERANS DAY

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on Veterans Day:

"Today, we honor the men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces. Every American is grateful for the very extraordinary acts these men and women have performed so that we may continue to enjoy freedom and liberty at home.

"On this day, we also must recommit ourselves to honoring their service when they return home. Every wounded veteran, fallen soldier and grieving family paid the price for our freedom and our security. All they require is the care they and their families need. We are indebted to them for their service and that debt needs to be paid without delay or inefficiency.

"In Massachusetts, Republicans and Democrats were able to work together to expand benefits for our state's veterans. In Washington, we must do the same. This is one issue where party identification does not matter. Our men and women are serving in far away places, and they should always be confident that their government stands behind them. On this Veterans Day, let us make a commitment to our military men and women, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and mothers and fathers truly worthy of the 21st century."