Veterans for Jim Gilmore

Throughout his life, Jim Gilmore has demonstrated his character and leadership. As a young man, Jim Gilmore volunteered for the United States Army during the Vietnam Era when many people were trying to avoid military service. He graduated with honors from the Army Intelligence School and Defense Language Institute and he was placed in the 650th Military Intelligence Group stationed in Germany.

As a soldier in Western Europe, Jim Gilmore was assigned to a counter-intelligence unit where he worked to help protect and safeguard our bases. He was later awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

After his service in the U.S. Army, Jim Gilmore received a law degree at the University of Virginia and received assistance as a result of the G.I. Bill. As a U.S. Senator, Jim Gilmore will work for a new and expanded G.I. Bill to help assist those men and women who are selflessly serving our country today. Jim Gilmore will also fight to ensure that our returning veterans receive quality health care.

As Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore reduced Virginia taxes on active duty, junior military personnel. Later he was appointed Chairman of the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction which came to be known as the Gilmore Commission from 1999 – 2003.

The Gilmore Commission presented five reports to Congress and Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and warned of a possible terrorist attack on the U.S. before 9/11. After 9/11 Congress adopted 146 of the Gilmore Commissions 164 recommendations for improving our national security.

In his term as Governor, Jim Gilmore dealt with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 when the Pentagon was struck. He deployed the Virginia National Guard and other first responders to secure our critical infrastructure and protect our citizens.

Jim Gilmore’s knowledge of homeland security has been recognized by countless elected officials, pundits and media outlets. The Atlanta Journal stated in 2007, “The government’s failure to heed the prescient work product of Gilmore’s commission allowed major systemic weaknesses in our defenses to continue, which in turn improved the chances for success by the Sept. 11 terrorists.” The article also said, “[Jim Gilmore] was a leader in the field before half the country became armchair anti-terrorism experts.”

Whether as a soldier, elected official or private citizen, Gilmore has been at the forefront of efforts to improve America’s homeland security. As a United States Senator, we can count on Jim Gilmore to be there for our troops and our security.

We hope you will join us in supporting Jim Gilmore for the United States Senate by joining Veterans for Jim Gilmore.

Sincerely,

Bill Flanagan - Colonel, United States Army, Retired
Ken Foran - Major, United States Marine Corps., Retired
John Pipta - Colonel, United States Marine Corps., Retired
Fmr. Delegate Leo Wardrup - Captain, United States Navy, Retired

Cross-posted at Bloggers for Gilmore