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CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS
OF THE U.S.A.
National Headquarters
441 North Lee Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone (703) 549-3622
Fax (703) 684-5196
www.cwv.org
Press Release
Mr. Jose Garcia
Contact:
National Executive Director
Phone: (512) 560-6091
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2009
CATHOLIC VETERANS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOSS OF RESOLVE TO WIN THE WAR ON TERROR
ALEXANDRIA, VA: On September 11, 2001 the United States of America was suddenly and savagely attacked by Islamic Terrorists. By committing this act, the terrorists declared war on the United States of America. The United States government responded to the attack by declaring a “War on Terror” and subsequently mobilized not only its own troops, but a broad coalition of troops from our allies to combat the terrorists on their home soil in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the surrounding areas.
It has been over 8 years since the start of combat operations, and according to the most recent official Department of Defense casualty reports, over 4,000 brave service members have been killed in action, and over 35,000 have been wounded in action.
This week, it has been reported that the Commanding General of U.S. Forces operating in Afghanistan and
its surrounds has asked the Pentagon to authorize an additional deployment of between 30,000 to 40,000
new troops to the area. In news reports, General McChrystal has been quoted as saying the reason for the
new request is that, “…failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term… risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.”
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The Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A. today wants to remind President Obama as the Commander in Chief of our nation’s military forces that it is his duty to see to the welfare of every service member he deploys, and to provide for them the resources and governmental support necessary to obtain victory against any opposing forces he has set out for them to engage in defense of our nation.
With this in mind, we are very concerned that the current administration seems to have forgotten the reasons we initially responded militarily and declared a War on Terror. We believe that the administration now appears to be risking the lives of our fellow veterans in what has become an unfocused political endeavor, and that our troops are no longer being considered by our government to be operating in a clearly defined state of war.
To ensure that our military forces are used appropriately, we ask President Obama to publicly address the following questions:
1. What is your strategy for achieving total and final victory in the War on Terror?
2. Why is the current administration not making victory in the War on Terror a priority for the American people?
3. What is your plan for ensuring that all deployed troops will have your full and undivided attention, and support, for the missions you have ordered them to undertake?
4. What is your commitment to ensuring that our troops in the field are provided with a limit on return and multiple combat tours?
Mr. President, do not take lightly your decision to put our military in harm’s way. If it is your decision, we expect that you will do everything in your power to achieve victory for them and for the United States of America in the War on Terror.
We applaud our brothers and sisters in uniform for serving our country. In return we ask the American people to hold our government officials accountable to provide the best possible support and care for all of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen that have been, and will be, sent into battle on your behalf.
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Founded in 1935, the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc. is the preeminent national veterans service organization representing the Catholic military veterans of our nation. The CWV is the only Catholic organization to have been granted an official charter by the U.S. Congress. The CWV is a private, non-profit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under IRC 501(c) 4.