Tulsi Gabbard is a captain in the Hawai`i Army National Guard, and a veteran of two combat tours to the Middle East. In the U.S. Senate, Tulsi worked as an aide to Senator Daniel K. Akaka, assisting him with veterans affairs. Tulsi is an acknowledged expert on the unique and pressing needs of American veterans, and has earned the respect and trust of veterans throughout the country. She has been endorsed by VoteVets.org, a leading national veterans group. Tulsi is a strong advocate for veterans and will lead the way in Congress to improve the way our country serves returning veterans and their families.
VoteVets.org, "the voice of America’s 21st century patriots" and one of our nation’s leading veteran advocacy organizations, announced their endorsement of the congressional candidacy of fellow veteran Tulsi Gabbard who served two deployments to the Middle East.
During my time in Washington, Senator Akaka was chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. My military training and experience gave me a unique perspective that allowed me to assist the Senator in his many briefings with top brass from the Pentagon and the Department of Defense. I was able to share with Senator Akaka what other veterans and I had just recently experienced in the Middle East, as well as in the homecoming process, and provide the Senator specifics about what was working and what was not.
Tulsi’s experiences as a member of the Hawai’i Army National Guard during two deployments to the Middle East have given her invaluable insight into the real costs of war. Those experiences and insights will serve her well in Congress because it is members of Congress, after all, who have the heavy responsibility of declaring war. Seeing these clips helps us more deeply appreciate how Tulsi is uniquely qualified to serve in Congress during these challenging times. Fellow congressional representatives will listen to and hear Tulsi because they will understand that she knows what she is talking about; her knowledge has come not from reading reports or watching television, but from personal experience.
"It has been my great honor to have served alongside real-life heroes whose commitment and dedication never falters, and who willingly make tremendous personal sacrifices in the service of our great nation. As a member of Congress, I will continue to fight to ensure that our veterans and their families receive the benefits and opportunities they so richly deserve."
~ Tulsi Gabbard
"Tulsi is really one to watch, this year and beyond. From serving on the city council to the State House of Representatives, to serving Senator Akaka, to volunteering to deploy to Iraq, time and time again, Tulsi has stood up to serve, and has done so with honor and integrity. She is an extraordinary woman who will make an extraordinary Member of Congress. We’re very proud to endorse her."
Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org