Fred Karger For President - Karger Meets Gay Veteran Who Confronted Romney in NH

Fred met with Bob Garon and his husband at Chez Vachon restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire today.  Two weeks ago, Bob confronted Mitt Romney there about his opposition to gay marriage.  Today, Bob found a Republican candidate for President he could support - Fred Karger.

Fred sat down with Bob Garon at lunch today.  To watch, click on the image below.

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Dan Freund Interviews Karger in Manchester, NH

Dan Freund caught up with Karger as he walked with Occupy New Hampshire.  Catch this engaging clip below.

NewtHampshire - Veterans Town Hall Saturday 1/7/12

A town hall of honor and urgency: For veterans and all who care about veterans

“I will always remember this Veterans Day. Today is the day this campaign started.” – Newt Gingrich, Manchester NH (Nov. 11, 2011) Newt has so many solutions and interests. The son of a 27-year Army infantryman and a lifelong student and teacher of American security, Newt knows the most important duty of government is keeping Americans safe. To all veterans, and all who care about the veterans who have kept us safe, we are proud to invite you to: A Very Special Veterans Town Hall with Newt Gingrich Saturday, January 7 The Wright Museum of WWII History 77 Center Street, Wolfeboro NH 11:00 a.m. Guests of Honor: Former Congressman and U.S. Senator from NH Bob Smith (Vietnam Navy Veteran) Reagan National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane (Vietnam Marine Veteran) …and all of you Topics: National security, foreign policy, veterans’ health services, and your issues of concern

Gov. Rick Perry Announces Veterans for Perry Coalition

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - Texas Gov. Rick Perry today announced the formation of the Veterans for Perry Coalition aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, S.C.  The veterans coalition reflects the strong support from veterans across the nation for Gov. Perry, the only presidential candidate in the race who volunteered to serve his country. 

Gov. Perry served in the U.S. Air Force as a tactical airlift pilot from 1972-1977, flying C-130 tactical airline aircraft, moving military troops and equipment. The Perry Veterans Coalition is already more than a hundred strong and will continue to grow as more veterans join to voice their support for their fellow vet.

"My father was a tailgunner who flew 35 missions as part of the Allied effort to liberate Europe," said Gov. Perry. "Like many from that generation, he spoke infrequently about his service because he knew the great cost of war and would rather think about peace. I was proud to follow in his footsteps, serving four and half years as a C-130 pilot in the United States Air Force. But I will be the first to tell you that this country has given me more than I could ever offer in return. It is one of the highest honors of my life to be endorsed by more than 100 distinguished veterans from all across the country today. As president, I will be committed to honoring their service with the resources, support and leadership they deserve."

"As the only presidential candidate who volunteered to serve his country, the way that I did, I am confident that Gov. Perry will be an advocate for veterans like myself as President of the United States," said Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient and one of the national co-chairs of the Veterans for Perry Coalition. "I know that he understands the privilege of serving our country and will honor and support veterans like myself."

"Gov. Perry truly understands the honor of volunteering to serve our great nation," said Major General James Everett Livingston, Medal of Honor recipient and one of the national co-chairs of the Veterans for Perry Coalition. "He has advocated on behalf of veterans and their families as governor of Texas, and I know he will proudly represent me and veterans across the nation when he is president." 

As governor, Rick Perry successfully worked to establish the nation's largest tuition assistance program authorizing $4 million for state military personnel attending public or private institutions of higher learning in Texas. He helped pass a constitutional amendment, approved by voters, to authorize an additional $500 million in bonds for veterans housing loans and cemeteries.  

Gov. Perry and Texas lawmakers worked to make voting while overseas easier for active-duty military members and extended the property tax exemption for fully disabled veterans to their surviving spouse while also ensuring that the property tax exemption follows disabled veterans to a new property if they move. He also created a $3 million workforce development initiative to ensure veterans and their families have the resources necessary to receive an education, get a job and return to civilian life after their deployments are over. 

Gov. Perry secured an additional $5 million to expand mental health treatment and support programs for veterans and their families and directed Texas state agencies to establish veteran-to-veteran support groups across the state. Finally, Perry and lawmakers established in-state tuition for veterans who are eligible for federal education benefits, and their spouses and children, while providing a tuition exemption for dependent children whose parent is a Texas resident deployed on active duty overseas.

Veterans who want to stand with a candidate who believes in the values that our nation was built upon and one who volunteered to defend them, as they did, are invited to join the Veterans for Perry Coalition and show their support for Gov. Perry by visiting www.rickperry.org/veterans-for-rick-perry.

Below is a list of those who are already serving on the Veterans for Perry Coalition.

National Co-Chairs

• Major General James Everett Livingston, MOH, U.S. Marine Corp (Ret.) (South Carolina)
• Chuck Larson, Sr., Fmr. U.S. Attorney and Justice Attaché to U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Colonel (USAR, Ret.) (Iowa)
• Dakota Meyer, Sergeant, USMC (Ret.) (Kentucky)
• William R. Mann, Lt. Colonel, US Army (Ret.) (Florida)
• The Honorable Allen B. Clark , Fmr. Assistant Secretary for Veterans Liaison and Program Coordination and Director, National Cemetery System at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CPT (USA-Ret) (Texas) 

National Steering Committee

• The Honorable James Inhofe, U.S. Senator, Oklahoma, U.S. Army (Ret.)
• The Honorable Sam Johnson, United States Congressman, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
• The Honorable Brian Birdwell, Texas State Senator, District 22, Lt. Col. U.S. Army (Ret.)
• The Honorable Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner, Lt. Col. U.S. Marine Corp (Ret.)
• Dr. Richard Box, U.S. Army (Ret.)
• Marcus Luttrell, Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy Seal (Ret.)
• Mike Thornton, U.S. Navy Seal (Ret.)
• Daniel P. Moran, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) 

State Leadership Teams

Iowa

• State Chair: Chuck Larson, Sr., Fmr. U.S. Attorney and Justice Attaché to U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Colonel (USAR, Ret.) (Iowa)
• State Co-Chair: The Honorable Royd Chambers, State Representative, District 5 and Master Sergeant, Iowa National Air Guard, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
• Steering Committee:
  • Dale Andres, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Gary Fischer, Captain, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Wayne Vanderkrol, Captain, Army National Guard (Chaplain)
  • Gannon Hendrick, Captain, U.S. Army Reserve
  • Andy Andersen, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Lee D. Booton, U.S. Navy, Seaman 1st Class
  • Rick LaMere, US Army, (Ret.)
  • John W. Sturdy, Sgt. Major, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Jeffrey A. Havenner, Major, U.S. Army
  • Dick L. Rattray, Lt. Colonel, USMCR (Ret.)
  • Tom Hanrahan, U.S. Navy
  • Zac Buttercase, Army National Guard
  • Gabe Haugland, Army National Guard 

New Hampshire

• State Chair: The Honorable Frank McCarthy, State Representative, Major, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret. Mustang)
• State Chair: Jim Adams, Pittsfield, Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy
• Steering Committee:
  • The Honorable Fred Rice, State Representative, Major, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • The Honorable Larry Gagne, State Representative, Petty Officer Third Class, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
  • The Honorable Emile Beaulieu, Mayor of Manchester, Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
  • The Honorable Chuck Douglas, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Ambassador Joe Petrone, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Dan Fleetham, Jr, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • The Honorable Al Baldassaro, State Representative, First Sergeant, U.S. Marines (Ret.)

Florida

• State Chair: The Honorable Jeff Brandes , State Representative, District 52, U.S. Army (Ret.)
• State Chair: The Honorable George Moraitis, Jr., State Representative, District 91, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
• Steering Committee:
  • Tavis McElheny, Lieutenant, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.)
  • Tony Buntyn, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
  • Richard Sugg, Staff Sgt, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
  • Harlen Twible, Lieutenant U.S. Navy (Ret.)
  • Carl Jackson, Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy
  • Chet Renfro, Major, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Bill Helmich, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
  • Ben Warren, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
  • Fred Manno, Air Man First First Class - U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
  • Yvonne Pillmore , Lt. Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)

South Carolina

• State Chair: James Everett Livingston, Major General U.S. Marines (Ret.)
• Steering Committee:
  • Major General Bob Livingston , Adjutant General - State of South Carolina
  • Herb Ellis, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • James "Boo" Alford, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Darwin Simpson, Major General, S.C. Army National Guard (Ret.)
  • Todd Humphries, Staff Sergeant., U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Roger Sanderson, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army (Ret.)
  • Mark Kelly , Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
  • Daniel Jones, Sergeant, US Army
  • Charles E. Edge, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Ret.)

Gov. Perry has also received the endorsement of the following veterans: 

James Veasey - AR

Debra Justin - CA

Scott Jeffcoat - DC

Andy Seabolt - FL

Guido Echevarria, Sr. - FL

Dave Scholl - FL

Gannon Hendrick -  IA

Eligio Marin - IL

Matt Walker - IL

Stephen MacKenzie - IN

Robert Nail - IN

Philemon St. Amant, II - LA

Joshua Randall - MA

Robert Vinson - NC

Dick Hinch - NH

John Starkey - NH

Al Baldassaro - NH

Ken Wyler - NH

George Camiolo - NH

Spec Bowers - NH

Gerard Leduc - NH

Royce Elkins - NH

Bob Greemore - NH

Moe Villeneuve - NH

Omer Beaudoin - NH

Cliff Hurst - NH

Robert Ferry - NH

Louis Prince - NH

Bill Miller - NH

Michael Bain - NH

Ed Gionet - NH

Art Gisi - NV

Steven Cochran - OH

David Randall - OR

Frank Bonneau, Jr. - OR

Clint Curtis - PA

Lyndsey Curtis - PA

Justin Wax - TN

Glen Gardner - TX

Shawn Bowles - TX

Ty Linker - TX

Larry Tally - TX

Kevin Allen - TX

John Harper - TX

Ron Ruffin - TX

Jason Woytek - TX

Scott O'Grady - TX

Kirk Yarbrough - TX

Jonathan Hamilton - TX

Ty Scott - TX

Al Poteet - TX

Bill Curlett - TX

James Bailey - TX

Louis R. F. Preysz III - VA

Ed Timperlake - VA

David Swarthout - WI

For more information about Gov. Rick Perry's record, presidential campaign and plan to get America working again, please visit www.rickperry.org.

Newt announces Defenders Coalition!

Manchester, NH – One week after Newt Gingrich hosted a Veterans Day breakfast in Epsom, the Newt 2012 New Hampshire campaign team announces the coordinators of “Defenders with Newt,” a coalition of veterans and first responders.

Former State Representative Frank Emiro of Londonderry, a Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran, and Gary Gahan of Merrimack, a U.S. Marine Vietnam veteran, will lead the group.

Emiro has been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition since 2006. He enlisted in the Navy in 1963 and served in the Army from 1967-69, earning the Good Conduct Medal after a tour in West Germany as a member of the Military Police Corp. He served as a director of a Vietnam Veterans of America chapter and a member of the Release Foundation for POW/MIAs. During his two terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Emiro served on the State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee. Emiro is also an expert on, and advocate for, U.S. and POW/MIA flag etiquette as well as a life member of the Military Police Regimental Association and Disabled American Veterans. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010.

Gahan, a 9/12 Project and Republican activist, has attended numerous veterans’ funerals at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen with Patriot Guard Riders. He is a life member of the 2nd Marine Division Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars USA, Marine Corps League, and American Legion.

Gingrich, called the “father of homeland security” by former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire Warren Rudman, is the son of a 27-year Army infantryman. Gingrich is the longest-serving teacher of the Joint War Fighting course for Major Generals at Air University and taught officers from all five services as an honorary Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Professor at the National Defense University. He also served on the Defense Policy Board and the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century.

Additional information, including national security solutions, is available at Newt.org.

RESULTS REPORT: U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta's veterans job fair

(WASHINGTON – November 17, 2011)   Representative Frank Guinta (R, NH-01) issued the following statement regarding the Veteran and Military Service Members Job Fair he hosted at Manchester Community College on November 10^th:

“One week ago today, nearly 300 people showed up for my most recent job fair.   Representatives from more than 40 companies talked with many veterans during the four hour event.  My office is currently receiving feedback from those employers.  So far they report at least two attendees have been hired, at least 15 others have been interviewed, and dozens more interviews are planned soon.  It will be several weeks before the final results of this job fair are known; but clearly, last Thursday’s event produced positive results for Granite Staters.”

WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE SAYING:

(Out of respect for the rights and privacy of job applicants and employers, respondents are identified by their field):

• Health care:  “Collected 9 applications; interviewed 4 and hired 2.”
• IT/Computer:  “20 applications, 2 interviews—more to follow (very successful and impressed with candidates).”

• ·         Business/financial:  “We are still contacting the people we met at the job fair and have started setting up interviews… please let me know if the Congressman schedules another one as we would love to participate.”    

• Public sector:  “I spent time speaking with approximately 12-14 interested attendees.”
• Health care:  “We have had 5 individuals apply and are in the process of reviewing their information… Thank you again for creating this wonderful event.”

WHAT ATTENDEES & VETERANS ARE SAYING:

"I applaud Congressman Guinta’s Veterans and Military Service Members Job Fair in Manchester and his consistent efforts on behalf of New Hampshire’s military community.  I attended last Thursday’s job fair in support of this Veteran/Service Member initiative and was impressed by the forty employers who were there to offer substantive career opportunities to the many veterans/service members seeking employment and educational opportunities.  With unemployment in the veteran/service member community as high as it is right now, I truly appreciate Congressman Guinta’s personal efforts to help those who served or are currently serving in uniform find civilian jobs."    

                                                                                                                                               - Maj. General Joseph K. Simeone (retired), former Deputy Adjutant General, NH National Guard

"As a member in the NH National Guard, I greatly appreciated this job fair that was specifically for military service members and veterans.  I obtained many good leads and opportunities and really appreciated this outreach."                     

-Second Lieutenant Chad Conte, NH Army National Guard

“Our state's veterans and service members have experience, education and training that are of great value to any employer.  Veterans are highly trained, motivated, and skilled individuals.  I greatly appreciate Congressman Guinta hosting a job fair specifically for them.  We should always take care of our veterans who have always been there for us." 

-Paul Lloyd, State Commander, NH VFW