McCain Campaign Press Release - Indiana Veterans Unite Behind John McCain

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced the leadership of Indiana Veterans for McCain, a statewide grassroots organization that will work to bolster John McCain's support within Indiana's veterans' community. With 150 members representing all service branches, the group's membership spans generations, including veterans from World War II to the combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"John McCain's distinguished service in the United States Navy is a matter of record and there is no doubting his sacrifice for America as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. His history of putting his country first, from Hanoi to Washington, stands in stark contrast to Barack Obama's record, which reflects a willingness to ignore the facts and say whatever it takes to further his political career," said Congressman Steve Buyer, Co-Chair of Indiana Veterans for McCain. "Veterans back John McCain because he always backs us. From working tirelessly to improve veterans' health care to streamlining VA services, Senator McCain clearly understands that our nation is forever indebted to those who served in our nation's armed forces."

David Mann, a U.S. Naval Reservist, added: "McCain's strong support of our country's military family extends to those who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. While his opponent has played politics with troop funding, John McCain continues to fight for our servicemen and women while also working to ease their transition back to civilian life. At a time when fewer and fewer Americans know what it is like to serve in our armed forces, Senator McCain's experience will be immeasurable when he is elected president."

McCain's campaign announced the leadership of Indiana Veterans for McCain on Wednesday at a press event in Indianapolis that featured Congressman Steve Buyer, Mayor Greg Ballard, Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter, USMC (Ret.) and Rex Early and David Mann. Lieutenant General Carol Mutter is the first woman in the United States Armed Forces promoted to a three-star rank.

INDIANA VETERANS FOR JOHN MCCAIN LEADERSHIP TEAM

State Chairs:

David Mann, USNR

Congressman Steve Buyer, USAR

State Co-Chairs:

Mayor Greg Ballard, USMC

Lieutenant General Carol Mutter, USMC (Ret.)

Rex Early, USMC (Ret.)

Robert Vane, USA

Todd Young, USMC

Steve Short

Coalition Members

Bobby Albertson, USANG

Joseph Austin, Jr., USANG

Jerry Aytes Jr., USA

Richard Barger, USNR

Michael Bevers, USMC

Jessie Beyrer, USMC

Kevin Bouma, USA

Gary Bowser, USN, USAF

Roger Bradley, USA

James Brassell, USMC

Margie Breeden, USA

Lawrence Buell, USA

Patrick Burns, NG

David Burton, USN

Norman Campbell, USAF

Stephen Campbell , USA

Paul Cauley

David Cederholm, USN

Robert Cline, USANG

Gerald Cohron, USNG, USMC

Brian Cole, USN

Dan Cole, USA

Jeffrey Cole, USA

Ed Coleman, USN

William Collins, US USA

Kenneth Cooper, USANG

Chris Crabtree, USN

David Cremeans, USA

Randolph Damm, USAR-R, USN

Robin Davis, USAF

James Deckard, USN

Ken Dennis, USAF

Matthew DeWolfe, USMC

Robert Dickerson, USA

Louis Dissinger, USA

David Dupee, USN

Robert Durgin, USMC

Forrest Durnal, USA

Charles Eaton, USA

Jeremy Echerd, USA

George Ellwood, USN

Kevin Etzkorn, USN

Christopher Faulkner, USMC

Stephen Fay, USN

Richard Fero, USA

John Fischer, USA

David Franklin, USA, USAR

Christopher Frantz, USN

John Freeman, USAF

Dave Galloway, USA, USAR

Terry Gerhart, USA

Theodore Gerst , USAF

Rhonda Godlewski, USA

Brian Goodknight, USA

Gregory Gossman, USAF

Michael Griffey, USA

Dennis Grove, USAR

Anthony Hand, USA

Russ Hernandez, USAF

John Hickman II, USA

Jeffrey Hicks, USA

Ronald Himsel, USA

George Hinson, USA

Donald Hissong, USA

John Hollars, USMC

George Jacobs, USN

Richard Jefford, USNR

Norris Keirn , USMC

John Klingensmith, USN

Timothy Labbe, USN

Nathan LaMar, USA

Gregory Larkin, USA

Robert Loviscek, Jr., USMC

Robert Lusk, USAF

Michael Lykens, USA, USAF

Donivan Mahuron, USAF, IN ANG

Andrew Martin, USA

William McBride, USN

Gerald McCarthy, USNA

Charles McDaniel, USANG

Richard McFall, USA

James Messenger, USN

Brett Monroe, USA

William Moore, USASC

Edward Moss Sr., USN

John Murray, USMC

James Mutter, USMC

Jonathon Nagel , USAR

Jesse Newcomb, USNR

Andrew Noga, USN

Barry Nordblom , USCG

Richard Oyler, USN

Tim Ping, USMC

Kevin Podlaski, USA

Richard Post, USA

Robert Ramey, USA

Donald Rector, Sr., USA

Ronald Reimer, USN

Robert Reed, USA

Miles Riley, USN

Kristina Rivera-Rearick, USMC

Travis Roll, USMC

Gordon Rose, USAF

Jack Rotzien, USAAC

Thomas Ryan, USN

Darren Salapka, USN

Sharon Salathe, USMC

Michal Sanders, USAF

Gary Schmidt, USMC

Mark Schminke, USAR

Julia Scott, USA

Javie Settlemore, USA

Christopher Shelton, USNG

Wayne Shipe, USA

William Sills, USAF

Christopher Smith, USAF

Jan Smith, USN

Kent Smith, USNG

William Strange, USA

Mik e Sturm, USN

James Sullivan, USMC

Max Sullivan, USA

Robert Sullivan, USAF

Kelly Swart, USN

Harry Switzer, USAF

Robert Tate, USAF, USA

Jon Tobey, USAF

Joshua Turner, USAF

Stephen Vicari II, USN

Jeffery Vidrine, USPHS

Kurt Von Schriltz, USA

Russell Warren, USANG

Edward Wenrick, USA

Kristi Wharton, USN

James White, USA, USNG

Larry White, USAF

Emmett Williams, USA

John Witt, USN

Michael Wukitsch, USMC

Garth Young, USCG

Charles Zentz, USMC, IN NG