Minnesota VFW Would Rather Play Politics Then Support Our Troops!

Monday, 11 August 2008 14:08

Victory signs will be printed this week. Sadly, I have been forced to take the sponsorship of the Minnesota VFW off our sign. Late Friday I was notified by the Minnesota State VFW Commander Stan Kowalski and his staff, Don Nix - Senior Vice Commander, Donald Dallman - Junior Vice Commander and Raymond Trebus - Judge Advocate, that they had reversed their support for the Victory Over Terrorism signs. Their reason was they do not support the Iraq War. His statement counters the National VFW whose position is clear that the Iraq War is a battlefield of the War on Terror.

I have long experienced the Democratic Party leanings on the Minnesota VFW. Shamefully, partisan politics has no place when the nation is at war. National veteran's organizations like the VFW have long ago been de-politicized over war. They believe that once war starts, you can't choose sides, debate stops at the waters edge once the shoots are fired. This is especially important today with an all volunteer military. Veteran's organizations can't choose which wars they will support the troops over and have any credibility. A lesson that the Minnesota Department of the VFW has not embraced.

As a veteran of Viet Nam, the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), I'm insulted with the position Commander Kowalski has taken. How can the Minnesota VFW ask any OIF veteran to become a member of their organization. If you agree, please call the State VFW Headquarters at 651-291-1757 and tell Commander Kowalski he should be ashamed of himself for playing politics over supporting our brave troops!

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