Department of Virginia

VFW Wants Candidates to Focus on Future; President Speaks to Convention Delegates Wednesday

Posted at 01:28 PM on Thursday, August 16, 2007 by Virginia A/Q

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2007--The attention of America's 24 million military veterans will be on Kansas City, Mo., next week when President George W. Bush and four leading candidates for his job in the 2008 election will address the 108th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

Speaking Monday are Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ). Speaking Tuesday will be former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). The president will address the audience of 5,800 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary delegates on Wednesday.

"It is unprecedented to have leading candidates address our organization before they have their respective party's nomination," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Gary Kurpius, a Vietnam combat veteran from Anchorage, Alaska.

“What we want to hear is how, if elected to our nation’s highest office, they will prosecute the war on terrorism. We want to hear how they will protect America, what their positions are on national security, military readiness and homeland security, and how they will enhance military and veteran healthcare programs, increase benefits, and expand Quality of Life initiatives,” he said.

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