Would Ted Kennedy drive this?

You just have to love Jack's ride! It keeps him humble!

Welcome Mod and our other new members!

Our group is growing and soon, more will be blogging. Of course, a few of us old coots are better at drill than we are at computers.

ModGaDem broke bread with us Monday along with some other newbies! Hopefully Ernesto will pull all the rain away and we can get together Monday!

Until then, I saw a great quote on Georgia Unfiltered that I thought I would share. In a discussion on Rev. Jim's campaign woes, one of his fellow Democrats commented

"I think most Dems are really ready for him to just go away; he makes our party look bad."

Ouch! What a slap in the face!

V4K meeting reminder

Brothers,
I know it is late but I wanted to remind everyone that we will meet tomorrow night (Monday) 1900 hrs at Jimmy's. Mike has volunteered to bring some stuff for the grill.

Barry researched Nelson's handout, which we have posted on the blog, and Michael has been looking at a few other things. We will also get a report on Capt. Enney's funeral for those who were unable to attend.

See you there!

Jack Kingston: "I would be proud to have my kids serve"

A Veteran friend of mine attended Jack's meeting on gas prices yesterday in Brunswick. He said Jack had some great ideas about getting us away from Middle East oil.
But the real story was what happened before the meeting! Apparently Jack was meeting with Nelson's anti-war minions "GlynnPeace."
One member of the group got nasty with Jack and asked "Would you let your kids serve in the Army now?" To which Jack responded,
"I would be proud to have my children serve in our armed forces."
WAY TO GO JACK!

When the guy asked Jack why he didn't make his children join the military, Jack replied "Do you have kids?" They guy said "No thank God" Jack then told him "If you had kids you would know, I can't tell my 23 year old or my 21 year old what to do."

Jack's scorecard with Veterans

Here is just a few of the things Congressman Kingston has voted for to help Veterans:

• Since 2001, spending for veterans has increased by $24 billion (53%).
• The VA medical care budget has increased by 51 percent.
• Total outpatient visits have increased from 44 million to 55 million.
• The number of prescriptions filled has increased from 98 million to 116 million.
• In the past five years, Since January 2002, the backlog of disability claims has dropped by 20%.
• More than $1.5 billion dollars has been put toward modernizing and expanding VA facilities.
• Voted to repeal the 112-year-old practice of Concurrent receipt which requires disabled veterans to be penalized for disability payments.
• Eliminated the 90 day minimum detainment or internment as a prisoner of war before eligibly for outpatient dental care
• Specified treatment availability for a veteran who participated in chemical and biological warfare testing
• Expanded rehabilitative services previously authorized to be provided for disabled veterans
• Specified funding for construction of veteran medical facilities
• Allowed for a widow of a veteran to remarry after age 57 and still be eligible for veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), home loan, and educational benefits.
• Expanded benefits for Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II.
• Increaseed funds for specialty adapted housing and transportation for disabled veterans
• Expanded educational benefits for National Guard members forced into full time duty.
• Required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide “extended” care services for veterans
• Instructed the Department of Defense to fashion an agreement with the VA that would allow veterans to use VA health services at the Department of Defense's expense
• Declared that veterans who have a service-connected disability rate of 50 percent of more are eligible for health care services
• Authorized housing assistance grants for homeless veterans.

Jack honors veterans in Savannah

From WTOC.com

08/19/06
Monument Honors "Dog" Company

With a tug of two ropes, the D Company monument is unveiled to the world. A stone symbol of the service and hard work of the fighting men of the 10th Infantry battalion during the Korean War. The marines are a little older now, but carry the same pride and respect as when they joined the service.

Congressman Jack Kingston was impressed with these American heroes. "It's just incredible, these guys are so humble its almost surreal. Standing next to them, they are true heroes but you'd never know it unless you pull it out of them."

With handshakes and pictures, the "dog" company, as they were known, reconnect with the past, and each other.

While the next generation gets a feel for history -- and what their grandparents went through during the Korean conflict just to survive.

D Company veteran Joseph Galkie remembers one day just like it was yesterday. "We were being bombed and mortared and shot at. Bobby got injured as he was getting off the truck. We were told to leave, but Bobby was getting left behind. So I went back and grabbed Bobby Up."
182 names are on the monument, all men who fought for their country in Korea. Some of the names are even more special, marked in Gold to mark the sacrifice they made, dying in combat.

You didn't have to listen to Taps being played for the fallen marines, or even see the monument to feel the emotion these men carry with them this day. Everyone touching their own name, enjoying the moment. This day which touched their hearts.

D Company veteran Howard Blatner says seeing his friends was the best part. "The guys, I cant remember all their names but a lot of the guys came up to me, choked me up.yeah, that's what this is about."

The D company was actually a reserve unit, entirely volunteer. A unit which continued on for years after the Korean conflict, with a new set of marines. Many of those same Marines came back Saturday to honor their predecessors

Jack's fighting for us!

At meetings in Baxley, Waycross and St. Marys, Jack has spoken to veterans about the need for an outpatient clinic in southeast Georgia! About 4 years ago, the VA said they were going to put one in Camden County, but later decided they wouldn't.

With all of the veterans in this area, we need a clinic!

Jack has directed his military aide, Major Nunn, to contact Secretary Nicholson and encourage the VA to construct a clinic in our area. Now, we have to drive to Dublin or Lake City for service. Occasionally some of us can go to Jacksonville or Savannah.

Good luck Jack! We're behind you all the way!

Welcome!

As veterans living in Georgia's 1st District, we want to share our support of Jack Kingston!

Since the first day he was elected to Congress, Jack has always been there for us! He has been a tireless advocate for veterans and we stand strong with him!