Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Spread the word on this, folks. Send this story out to as many people as are in your email address book because it is so important…

(LOS ANGELES) — Vets for Freedom (VFF), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating policymakers and the American public about the success and strategic importance of the surge in Iraq, today released “Skipped,” the hardest hitting ad in the organization’s continuing effort surrounding the War on Terror.

Former California Governor Pete Wilson, a former Marine Corp. officer, is traveling with VFF leaders this week to announce the ad. The $2.2 million television ad buy will begin nationally with a heavy emphasis in California on September 30th as part of the organization’s national advocacy program “Tell the Truth About the Surge.”

“Sen. Barack Obama consistently argues the mission in Afghanistan has suffered as a result of the surge in Iraq. This argument is especially disingenuous considering he is the chairman of the committee designated to oversee the mission in Afghanistan, but he has yet to hold a single hearing,” said Vets for Freedom Chairman Pete Hegseth. “Senator Obama’s dismissive stance towards the surge demonstrates tunnel vision that is concerning to veterans of these conflicts.”

“Skipped” highlights Senator Obama’s failure to become informed of the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, and asks Congress to support Senate Resolution 636, which recognizes the success of the surge and our troops. The ad can be viewed and downloaded at the Vets for Freedom website. The ad is a large part of VFF’s $7 million national advocacy program, “Tell the Truth About the Surge.” Senate Resolution 636, which was introduced by Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), currently has 33 co-sponsors.

“Progress is evident; just last week Iraqis passed a provincial election law, yet Sen. Obama repeatedly denies that the surge worked, contradicting reports from top commanders on the ground in Iraq,” said Hegseth. “We have an obligation to recognize this progress and honor the troops who have sacrificed to complete the U.S. mission in Iraq.”

Vets for Freedom is a non-partisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq. It supports policymakers from both sides of the aisle in their attempts to stand behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain. Vets for Freedom is the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ organization in America.

Pete Hegseth recently returned from Iraq and is available for interviews. To speak with Pete, please contact Judy Mayka at (202) 338- 4070, Samantha Succop at (610) 597-7132 or email media@vetsforfreedom.org. More information about Vets for Freedom and “Tell the Truth About the Surge” is available at www.vetsforfreedom.org, along with background materials on Senate Resolution 636.

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Click here to go to the Vets For Freedom website.

Vets for Freedom is a non-partisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq. It supports policymakers from both sides of the aisle in their attempts to stand behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain. Vets for Freedom is the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization in America.

Nods to Howie and Katie O’Malley.