The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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July 21, 2010

Your View: Walz recognized as a champion for veterans

Henry “Hank” Sadler, Madison Lake

As a disabled veteran who served over 21 years of active duty, I take umbrage over the derogatory remarks made by a few writers pushing their political agenda. With all the negative opinion letters to the editor in The Free Press about Congressman Tim Walz, I feel it’s time to actually recognize how lucky we are to have a great and patriotic advocate in Washington representing us.

I’d like to give you one veteran’s perspective of this outstanding elected official.

Walz has been recognized as a champion of veterans by many major veterans organizations in the relatively short time he has served us in Washington. The 20,000-member Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota awarded Walz the Legislator of the Year Award by Past DAV.

Walz has received the American Veterans Silver Helmet Award, the highest award given by our nation’s veterans. In addition, he was awarded the Jewish War Veterans’ Medal of Merit by that national organization. Most recently, Walz was awarded the Legislator of the Year award by the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.

Walz serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee which gives our Minnesota veterans a strong voice in D.C., something we haven’t had since Tim Penny left Congress.

Walz has sponsored and co-sponsored more bills for veterans, their families and survivors than any other elected official in Minnesota.

Veterans, survivors of veterans and those who really care about the men and women who protect our freedom need to stand up and support this champion of our service members including active duty, Reserve, National Guard and retired military. If we don’t, we stand to lose our strongest advocate we have in Washington.

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