Contact: Brian Baluta, [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAS VEGAS – Today, veterans and military families from across Nevada joined together to endorse one of their own for U.S. Senate – Republican Dr. Joe Heck. The “Veterans for Heck” coalition was kicked off with an event at Heck campaign headquarters featuring Lieutenant General Emil “Buck” Bedard, USMC (ret.), Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt, and dozens of Heck’s fellow veterans.
A 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, Heck served three tours of active duty, including Iraq where he ran the emergency services and aeromedical evacuation section of a combat support hospital. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 2014.
In Congress, he has made it a top priority to strengthen the U.S. military and ensure veterans and their families receive the benefits they earned and deserve.
This Congress alone, Heck’s office worked hundreds of cases to recover more than $1.6 million in back compensation for veterans. As chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, he successfully pushed through an unprecedented reform of the military retirement system to ensure all those who serve will have some form of retirement security.
Heck fought for and continues to push for greater accountability and oversight of the VA to ensure veterans get timely access to quality healthcare and other services. And he took a hands on approach to make the opening of the Laughlin VA Health Clinic a reality.
Heck has found success working with his veterans’ panel to address their concerns through legislation. His Stolen Valor Act, which was signed into law, protects the honor of military awards and those who earn them. Heck’s Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act, which seeks to help end veteran homelessness, passed the U.S. House four times with broad bipartisan support.
“Homelessness affects more than 60,000 veterans nationwide, including 1,500 in Nevada. That is unacceptable. Dr. Heck listens and is doing something about it. Let’s send him to the U.S. Senate so he can finish the job,” said Dennis Dice, a USAF veteran who worked with Heck on the vulnerable veterans legislation.
“Dr. Heck has shown through his actions that he stands for military survivors when no one else would. His hearing on Capitol Hill gave us a voice when we had none. He is a man of honor and worthy of our support to be the next U.S. Senator from Nevada,” said Janet Snyder, military widow and advocate for surviving spouses.
“The denied Filipino veterans could not ask for a better champion in Congress than Dr. Heck. He has been, and continues to be, the most steadfast friend in the quest for recognition of their military service and sacrifices for America during World War II,” said veterans advocate Lt. Cmdr. Ceasar Elpidio, USNR (Ret.).
“Having worked on veterans’ issues and legislation with Congressman Heck over the last five years, I can say his focus and attention to detail are unmatched. As an Iraq War veteran, there is no member of congress I’d rather work for because I’ve seen firsthand how seriously he takes his commitment to the veterans’ community. Nevada’s veterans deserve to have one of their own in the U.S. Senate. I wholeheartedly believe the best choice is Joe Heck.” said James Langenderfer, former staff sergeant, USA, and current Heck campaign manager.
The Veterans for Heck coalition is at 43 members and growing:
Lt Gen Emil “Buck” Bedard, USMC (Ret.)
COL Dennis George, USA (Ret.)
Congressman Mark Amodei, former CAPT, USA
Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt, former LT, USN
BG Robert Hayes, USA (Ret.)
COL Bill Anton, USA (Ret.)
COL Christopher Rores, M.D., USA
COL Charles Miyashiro, USA (Ret.)
CAPT Phil Perine, USN (Ret.)
Col Herb Randall, USAF (Ret.)
Col Sandy Mangold, USAF (Ret.)
LTC Charles “Skip” O’Donnell, USA (Ret.)
LTC Jeffrey Zupon, NVARNG (Ret.)
LtCol George Rivers, USMC (Ret.)
LCDR William Kohn, USN (Ret.)
LCDR Caesar Elpidio, USN (Ret.)
Maj Sean Fellows, USAF Reserve
Maj Wesley Duncan, USAF Reserve
LT Al Phelps, USN (Ret.)
Capt Judy Mills Uebbing, USAF
CMSgt Ken Gray, USAF (Ret.)
1SG Mitch Roach, USA (Ret.)
CPO William Process, USN
CPO (AW/FMF) James Vega, USN
GySgt James Utterback, USMC (Ret.)
MSgt Victor “Doc” Moss, USAF (Ret.)
MSgt Susan Ripley, USAF (Ret.)
MSgt Fred Maxwell, USAF
SFC, Yvette Weigold, USA
SSG Richard Carreon, USA
PO1 Richard Houghtelling, USN
PO1 David McNeill, USN STS-1 (SS)
SGT Tevin Flores, NVARNG
PO2 Philip R. Jacka, USN
PO2 Darren Lennemann, USN
TSgt Kris Kohn, USAF
SSgt Mike C. Johnson, USAF
TSgt Dennis Dice, USAF
TSgt Mary Houghtelling, USAF
Cpl Cheryl Gardner, USMC
Cpl Tom “Ghost” Martin, USMC
Janet Snyder, Widow of a Vietnam Veteran
Chere Pedersen, Veteran Advocate
