It was a beautiful Hampton Roads Sunday afternoon to put the lie to the McCain campaign assumption that the military and veteran vote is in the bag. Local grassroots organizer Stephanie Maruschia (veteran and spouse of a veteran) reached out and the response was impressive. Over a hundred veteran and military family Obama supporters enjoyed a bountiful BBQ pot luck spread at Virginia Beach's Mount Trashmore. This is just the beginning of the effort to get the word out and bring the Hampton Roads military community together in support of the Obama campaign.
"In the military, the essence of leadership is taking care of your people...Which of the two parties do you think understands taking care of the people? It's fairly obvious.""I didn't serve in the Navy, nobody serves in the military because we want to protect millionaires. We serve in the military because we believe in what America stands for and we understand our personal duty to protect the American people."
Delegate Bouchard
Delegate Joe Bouchard (VA 83rd) stopped by and fired up the gathering as he decried the fact that Virginia has had to make up for the failed Republican leadership by footing the federal bill for Virginia veterans' benefits. He was joined by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and 2nd Congressional District challenger Glenn Nye.
Veterans and military family members unable to attend but who would like to volunteer or receive periodic updates should contact Stephanie by E-mail at LearningInspire@gmail.com.
Cross posted at VBDems.org - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!
This election will mean that Veteran votes won't be taken for granted anymore. The tide is turning and more and more Veterans and their families are supporting Obama.
A big thank you to everyone that helped make the event possible - bringing everything from food to grills! The speakers were great Del. Joe Bouchard, Mayor Oberndorf, and Glenn Nye really fired up the crowd!
If you want to volunteer please email me at LearningInspire@gmail.com.