Posted on 06/18/2004 6:23:58 PM PDT by RWR8189
DEARBORN, MI – Today, Bush-Cheney ’04 Campaign Chairman Marc Racicot joined veteran and Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox (Corporal USMC), and Vietnam veteran Bill Dobbie (Spec. 4 US Army) to announce the Bush-Cheney ’04 Michigan Veterans Leadership Team. Bush-Cheney ’04 Michigan Veterans Leadership Team State Co-Chairs Michigan State Representative John Pappageorge (Col. US Army Ret.) Denny Gillem (Lt. Col. US Army Ret.)
“President Bush leads America’s military with the strength of conviction. He takes a head-on approach to the challenges of our changing world and continues to work toward a safer, stronger America. This is a defining moment in America’s history, and I will work diligently to ensure the continued optimistic leadership of President George W. Bush,” said Cox.
“I’ve heard many rumors circulating about John Kerry’s proposals versus the President’s proposals, but we know that John Kerry has voted at least 12 times against pay raises for troops and that he’s voted against improving military housing. President Bush will take better care of America’s veterans every time,” said Dobbie.
President Bush believes that the people who serve in the military are giving their best to this country, and as Americans we have the responsibility to give our military our full support. The past four straight VA budget increases have provided more than a 40% increase in VA health care alone since 2001. In the past 4 years, President Bush’s budgets have allowed the VA to enroll 2.5 million more veterans for health care services, increase outpatient visits from 44 million to 54 million, increase the number of prescriptions filled from 86 million to 108 million, and open 194 new community-based clinics available for veterans.
On Tuesday, May 11, U.S. Sen. Bob Dole announced the Bush-Cheney ’04 National Veterans Leadership Team in Tampa, Florida, surrounded by veterans and supporters.
State Representative John Pappageorge has been in public service almost his whole life. Following his graduation from West Point in 1954, Pappageorge began his career as an Infantry officer in the Army. Following 30 years of active duty, Pappageorge was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from the 41st district. Today, Pappageorge continues to serve the public as a State Representative from Troy.
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox (Corporal USMC)
Born in 1961, Cox entered the Marines after graduation from Catholic Central High School in Detroit and went on to graduate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989. After graduation, Cox went to work with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. A year later, he went to work for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Detroit. In Wayne County, Cox prosecuted organized crime cases, ranging from public corruption to drug and gang-related homicides. He tried more than 125 jury trials, in addition to hundreds of bench trials, with a conviction rate in excess of 90 percent.
Marilyn Britten (Capt. US Army Ret.)
Ms. Britten is a Retired Army Officer a member of Bush-Cheney ’04 state steering committee and state co-chair of Michigan Veterans for Bush.
Mr. Gillem served as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Today, Lt. Colonel Gillem is Chairman of the 1776 Society of Veterans.
Jack Pickard (Sergeant. US Army)
Mr. Pickard served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. His service lasted through the Vietnam War. Mr. Pickard was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and received a Presidential Citation for Community Service in 1981. After serving in Vietnam, Mr. Pickard attended Northwest Michigan College. Currently, Mr. Pickard is the State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bill Dobbie (Spec. 4 US Army)
Mr. Dobbie was drafted into the Army in September 1966 and served in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division as an infantryman. He left the Army in 1968 and returned back to the Chrysler Corporation, where he retired 7 years ago.
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