Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star - Wittman Lines Up Iraq War Veterans

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Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star - Wittman Lines Up Iraq War Veterans

BY CHELYEN DAVIS

The Democratic candidate for the 1st congressional district, Phil Forgit, is an Iraq war veteran.

Last night the Republican, Del. Rob Wittman, announced his own support from Iraq veterans, with a newly formed group called Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for Wittman.

Wittman and the veterans held a rally at Colonial Circuits in Fredericksburg, urging supporters to tell their friends about the special election--coming in just three weeks, on Dec. 11--to fill the 1st district seat left vacant by the death last month of Rep. Jo Ann Davis.

"The big thing is getting people in the mind-set that Dec. 11 is Election Day," Wittman said.

He said he formed the veterans' group to help give him guidance on issues specific to soldiers who are in, or have returned from, Iraq.

"I just want to make sure that I'm plugged into those issues," Wittman said.

The veterans have told him that it's important to them that the United States stay in Iraq and complete the mission there, rather than pulling troops out. "They don't want it to turn out like Vietnam," Wittman said.

That's why veteran Dave Rababy--who served in Desert Storm, Iraq and Somalia--is supporting Wittman. "There's a lot of people who go to war, but when it comes down to it, it's what are your politics," Rababy said.

He thinks Democrats "cut and run," while a Republican would support keeping troops in Iraq.

Jon Myers, also an Iraq veteran and who recently ran unsuccessfully for the 28th state Senate district nomination, said Forgit might be a fellow veteran, but it doesn't give him the administrative experience that Wittman, being a state delegate, has. "I don't know that (combat experience) gives him any specific experience managing a large district," Myers said.

Forgit was a Naval Reservist when called to active duty in Iraq in 2005. There, he was an advisor to the Iraqi army and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. He has said he doesn't think American troops should stay in Iraq indefinitely, but that they should be moved away from the front lines. He has also said the Iraqi army must be stronger before Americans can begin easing out of the conflict.

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