– Elmer Davis, American News Reporter
VOTING IS NOT AN EXTREMIST ACTNEWS FLASH – This just in…After 3 years of study, DoD’s Countering Extremist Activity Working Group at last defines “Extremist Activity” in its final report released Wednesday, 26 June 2024. Read definition here: DoD Extremist Activities Definition
In a week of news rocked by the outcome of the first 2024 Presidential Debate and an array of remarkable Supreme Court decisions, I deliberately highlight this DoD report and its findings. Tension remains inside the rank and file of our military force over fundamental rights and freedoms in the wake of force wide stand downs, investigations, and murky, unremarkable findings regarding extremism in the services. Much of this tension stems from a poorly executed stand down, the absence of agreed definitions and standards, and too many external “experts” with overwrought assertions and few conclusions backed by empirical evidence.
What’s a squad leader, company commander, or senior leader supposed to do if his or her choices are between building mission readiness or pursuing more process-based work towards ill-defined end goals? This report has a serious purpose very similar to past service wide initiatives addressing the scourge of racism, drug use, and gangs. Elimination of extremism in the ranks, as it exists, is a worthy goal. And adding needed clarity to guidance is similarly important. But AVV encourages careful implementation of prescribed initiatives. Trust the chain of command, resist faulty implementation of hastily designed programs, and respect the good sense and motivation of Service Members who, as team members, volunteered to Serve the Nation as they Defend our Constitution.
Team AVV celebrates DoD’s inferred conclusion that VOTING IS NOT AN EXTREMIST ACT. Obvious statement, perhaps. Underappreciated fact, absolutely. Essential conclusion to AVV’s belief system, without question. We stand by our belief that change through the Ballot Box is the most consequential and constructive act service members and Veterans can take as citizens of our constitutional republic. American Veterans Vote, INDEED!
To other news…how ‘bout that debate! Having worked in the Reagan National Security Council to help negotiate and implement SDI and Arms Control Programs, on the Army Staff in the wake of 9/11 to define and implement Army strategies, and in multiple command positions in peace and war to train and employ our most precious fighting forces, I was shocked to witness the frail, unfocused mental acuity of President Biden, our Commander in Chief. I’ve witnessed the actions of great leaders in tough times. Our security threats are too dire and our military capabilities too finite to have leadership dependent on note cards and talking points. We, as Veterans and Veteran supporters, have the ability, here in Virginia, in this coming election, to deliver 13 electoral votes for former President Trump and determine a needed change in leadership. That’s just a fact.
As the Democratic party sees the growing likelihood of a presidential loss, money will flow increasingly to retain the Senate and win the House. The focus will shift from supporting Biden to blocking a new Trump White House by Congress. This brings the Senate race in Virginia to the forefront. Hung Cao’s race to replace Senator Kaine will be even more important and competitive. Beyond the work ahead to win in Congressional Districts, a statewide effort is needed to support Hung Cao’s victory. It will take Every Veteran, Every Vote as well as statewide voter turnout in both “competitive” GOP districts and “safe” districts. AVV has examined the voting data across all the Commonwealth. In “safe” GOP districts, turnout lags – it must seem too safe. Far too many GOP voters leave their votes uncounted in Presidential and Senate races. Every Veteran – Every Voter needs to cast their decisive vote for Hung Cao and former President Trump.
AVV launched its VETS2VOTE program for 2024 elections with its first Call To Action on 22 June in AVV’s Northeast region (7CD, 8CD). Similar events are planned in AVV’s Southeast Region (2CD, 3CD) and Northwest Region (10CD, 11CD). Watch for dates and details on the AVV Website and in email. Training to Win sessions are also planned to add the power of training to the will to win these important elections.
Celebrate this 4th of July safely with family and loved ones. Honor our independence and the remarkable founders of our nation.
Veterans Forward
Every Veteran, Every Vote!
Bob Wood, LTG (R) US Army
CEO, American Veterans Vote
www.AmericanVeteransVote.com
by
COL (R) Michael B. “Yama” Hoyes
There are two widely different quotations I’ve been thinking of this past week, the first is from my Bible study, the second, from my time as a cadet at the Air Force Academy.
The first quote is from Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 7, which reads: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.”
We as a nation, and certainly as Virginia Veterans are at a highly consequential time…a time to tear apart the destruction we’ve seen transpire…there can be no mending until that is done. WE have extended our time in silence for too long and it is time, to speak…the way things are going, it may be our last opportunity. And we tear and speak by getting EVERY Veteran to vote!
The second quote is from the 1970 movie Patton. I first saw it with my classmates, while enduring the basic cadet physicality of Jack’s Valley in 1972. Fully realizing it was a George C. Scott “caricature,” however, it was, and remains, motivational…just listen:
Now, an army is a team. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team. Now, some of you boys, I know, are wondering whether or not you’ll chicken-out under fire. When you put your hand into a bunch of goo that a moment before was your best friend’s face, you’ll know what to do. Now, there’s another thing I want you to remember. I don’t want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position. We’re not holding anything. Thirty years from now when you’re sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee, and he asks you, ‘What did you do in the great World War II?’ — you won’t have to say, ‘Well, I shoveled —- in Louisiana.’
We are indeed in a battle for our United States. AVV is a Team, an organization that understands time is running out, that we must speak overwhelmingly through the ballot box. We are not interested in holding or squeaking by, but rather, by being decisive in our just cause. NOW is AVV time!
Lord, You have put us here in THIS time for us to do Your will now. Let us not waste the time we have. Give us the wisdom and magnify our time to accomplish good works, in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
So what time is it? AVV TIME! Every Veteran, Every Vote!
American Veterans Vote hosted a Member Mission Briefing on 22 June in Spotsylvania. Members from AVV’s Virginia Northeast Region attended a member focused Call to Action session at American Legion Post 320 to meet candidates elected in the 18 June primary as well as hear from AVV’s CEO, Bob Wood as he described the strategy for winning elections in November. Regional Team Leader, Dan Nefferdorf and his team did a terrific job organizing and executing this model member focused event. On 24 August, this Virginia NE member team will meet again for training on the tools and techniques to be used in the fall GOTV activities. Every Veteran, Every Vote. Photos below show a busy day and an array of members who answered this Call to Action.
American Veterans Vote was asked to partner with Virginia Veterans for Trump at the Save America Rally with President Trump and Governor Glenn Youngkin on 28 June in Chesapeake, Virginia. We were pleased to join four AVV members and primary election winners as they prepare for the General Election ahead. These candidates included Hung Cao – US Senate, Virginia, Jen Kiggans – VA 2, John Sitka – VA 3, John McGuire – VA 5, Derrick Anderson – VA 7, Mike Van Meter – VA 10, and Jerry Torres – VA 11. What a showing of Veteran leaders. Every Veteran, Every Vote. Photos show activities at the pre-event Rally hosted by Veterans For Trump and the Trump rally itself.
American Veterans Vote, Inc. (AVV) is a volunteer team of Veterans and Veteran supporters. We are a 527 Political Action Committee with a nationally-focused mission to promote the political power of Veterans and Veteran supporters in support of our three strategic goals:
AVV’s goal is to help Veterans maximize their political voice by supporting Veterans’ ability to Vote, Volunteer and Lead.
“Every Veteran, Every Vote.”
We don’t speak FOR Veterans… we speak AS Veterans.
PAID FOR BY AMERICAN VETERANS VOTE
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