American Veterans Vote, Inc. | |
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Newsletter
September 30, 2022
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As George Washington said, “Discipline is the soul of an Army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.” Our Nation’s first Veteran learned this reality in our Nation’s fight for liberty. Embattled, under resourced, but united in resolve and spirit, our Nation won its independence.
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Are you feeling a little embattled, somewhat overwhelmed by today’s events, a bit dispirited? Take heart! As they did to enable victories in last year’s elections, Veterans in Virginia can wield the power of discipline, formidable numbers, and large turnout to win new seats and regain a majority in Congress. In 2021, Veterans beat average voter turnout by 12%. But, over 230K Veteran voters stayed home!! Every Veteran, Every Vote is not a slogan. It’s the path to victory through the ballot box.
Now, September is behind us, the campaigns are in full stride, and the elections are on! Early voting commenced 23 September and American Veterans Vote members and volunteers executed Vets2Vote bringing a Veteran presence to early voting sites across Virginia. The reports of low voter turnout magnify the potential strength of our discipline and formidable numbers in Virginia elections ahead.
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With today’s very tight election battles, we don’t need to overwhelm. We promote victory by adding new votes at the margin of close races. And every election in Virginia will be close. It’s the discipline of Veterans as individuals, teammates, and communities that make the decisive difference. 230K+ Veteran voters stayed home. WE ALL MUST VOTE. Leave no Veteran Vote behind.
VETERANS FORWARD!
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A Matter of Trust
As I was thinking about 9/11, I thought about FAITH. In whom or what do we put our trust? Here's what two of our Founding Founders wrote.
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."
--Patrick Henry, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii.
"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."
--George Washington, 1st U.S. President, The Writings of Washington, pp. 342-343.
Dr. COL (R) Michael B. “Yama” Hoyes, AVV Member
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A Veteran's Voice - 9/11
I was standing in the Pentagon north parking lot with hundreds of my fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms when a police officer in his cruiser announced over his PA system that another airplane was headed our way and to move away from the premises.
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Those of us who evacuated from the river entrance moments after American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon, now headed toward the Potomac River for cover.
That other airplane was United Airlines (UA) Flight 93, but patriots - common citizens onboard - got involved and forced the terrorists to crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, well short of their objective.
Having made incalculable expenditures in blood and treasure since then in the name of national security, we now find our elected officials unwilling to secure our borders – a federal responsibility under Article IV Section 4 of the Constitution and Title 8 of the U.S. Code.
While most of the 9/11 hijackers entered the country legally as part of their surreptitious plan, today's evil doers need not bother. Suffice it to say that we have lost control of who enters our country, and this presents a threat to our national security and - remembering the innocent victims of 9/11 - individual security.
I wonder ... would the patriots on UA Flight 93 approve of this administration's border policies? I think not. They would wonder why we haven’t learned our lesson. They’d be incredulous as to why our leaders, despite the past expenditures in blood and treasure, put us at risk now by leaving the door wide open. They would also likely question the wisdom of electing or re-electing anyone who doesn't place the security interests of the nation and electorate foremost.
Twenty-one years ago, with a smoke plume rising from the Pentagon’s west side, I felt the beginning of the collective rage of my brother and sister warriors that turned into the multi-year resolve to render justice. With the coming mid-term election and the national election beyond, it’s time to remember that feeling and cast a vote for the candidate who places national and border security high on the priority list. We owe it to the 9/11 victims, patriots, and warriors to ensure their sacrifices weren’t in vain.
Rocco Dryfka is an AVV member and Air Force Retiree
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AVV members throughout the commonwealth were present at early voting locations on September 23rd. Vets2Vote was a campaign to get Veterans to the polls as a demonstration of the political power of engaged Veterans. | |
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Latest AVV Endorsed Candidates
Note: AVV's endorsement process is ongoing, and we expect to announce more endorsements over the next few weeks.
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AVV endorses Republican Robert J. Wittman for the 1st congressional district. Wittman currently serves as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 1st congressional district - a post he's held since 2007.
Wittman's priorities include National Defense, Jobs & Economy, Veterans, Broadband, Transportation & Infrustructure, and Environmental Conservation.
Wittman was in Army ROTC during college and currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
Click Here to View Website
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AVV endorses Republican Jen Kiggans for the 2nd congressional district. Kiggans is currently a Virginia state senator representing District 7.
Kiggans' priorities include among other things, cutting inflation and the cost of living, growing jobs and the economy, border security, law enforcement, national security, and veterans,
Kiggans served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot, including two deployments to the Persian Gulf. She later went on to become a board-certified Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Click Here to View Website
Click Here for Upcoming Event
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Fourth District
AVV endorses Republican Leon Benjamin for the 4th congressional district.
Benjamin is the Senior Pastor and Bishop of New Life Harvest Church in Richmond, and the founder of Coalition of Leaders United (CLU) dedicated to advancing conservative values and restoration of moral clarity in American.
Benjamin served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1994 and is a Gulf War veteran.
Click Here to View Website
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Sixth District
AVV endorses Republican Ben Cline for the 6th congressional district. Cline currently represents Virginia's 6th congressional district in the U.S House of Representatives.
Cline's priorities include the economy, reforming congress, energy, healthcare, and support for veterans.
Cline previously served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates where he chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety.
Click Here to View Website
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Seventh District
AVV endorses Republican Yesli Vega for the 7th congressional district. Vega is the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants who fled civil war. Running on a platform of conservative principles, in 2018 Yesli was elected to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
Among other things, Vega's priorities include Constitutional checks and balances on the government, border security, law enforcement, election reform, education, healthcare, and the economy.
Vega previously served as a police officer and certified hostage negotiator and is a U.S. Army spouse.
Click Here to View Website
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Eighth District
AVV endorses Republican Karina Lipsman for the 8th congressional district.
Lipsman's priorities include among other things, the economy, education and public safety.
Lipsman is a refugee from Soviet-Ukraine and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in engineering. She subsequently worked for 14 years in the defense and intelligence communities.
Click Here to View Website
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10th District
AVV endorses Republican Hung Cao for the 10th congressional district.
Cao's priorities include among other things, government checks and balances, the economy, education, defense of the homeland, and national defense.
Cao is a retired U.S. Navy Special Operations Officer and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School.
Click Here to View Website
Click Here For Upcoming Event
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11th District
AVV endorses Republican Jim Myles for the 11th congressional district.
Myles' priorities include among other things, inflation, public safety, education, immigration reform, domestic energy policy, and social security and medicare.
Myles is a retired federal judge and former USAF fighter pilot and flight instructor. He also served on the House Ways and Means Committee.
Click Here to View Website
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Early voting has started and runs through November 5th. Election day is November 8. Are you ready?
This is your opportunity to scrutinize candidates, weigh their potential effect on the nation, and then decide whether to vote them out or give them consent to govern.
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However, if you mismanage your voter registration in Virginia, you'll likely be restricted to casting a provisional ballot only. Then, the local electoral board will decide whether your vote is counted. Is that what you want?
You should also vote at the earliest opportunity - doing so reduces the risk of someone else using your ballot. If that occurs, you'll be limited to a provisional ballot.
Register here or check that your registration is up to date: Registration - Virginia Department of Elections
Know which congressional district you’re in and familiarize yourself with the candidates. Check here by your zip code: | house.gov
Know where to vote. Find your registrar’s office for early voting here: Local Contact Information (virginia.gov).
For election day, find your polling place here: Polling Place Lookup - Virginia Department of Elections
Getting deployed and need to vote by absentee ballot? The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is October 28. Apply here: Citizen Portal - Virginia Department of Elections
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Be An Engaged Member of the Electorate | |
As the election approaches, members of congress are paying attention. Now is a good time to let your congressmen know you're scrutinizing how they've governed - ask them what they've done to earn your vote.
Without any input from you, lawmakers could follow party or fringe agendas instead of the wishes of their constituency.
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Speak up if you're unhappy with your elected officials' decisions. They're supposed to represent you. | |
American Veterans Vote, Inc. (AVV) is a volunteer team of Veterans and Civilian Mission Partners who led the Veteran Coalition for Glenn Youngkin. We are a 527 Political Action Committee with a nationally-focused mission to promote the political voice of Veterans and mission partners in support of our three key objectives:
- Support of Veterans and their Families,
- Defense of the Constitution, and
- Promote Our Nation’s Security.
AVV’s goal is to help Veterans maximize their political voice by supporting Veterans’ ability to Vote, Volunteer and Run for Public Office.
"Every Veteran, Every Vote."
We don't speak FOR Veterans... we speak AS Veterans.
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Veterans and Civilian Mission Partners...Join Us! | |
PAID FOR BY AMERICAN VETERANS VOTE | | | | | |
