Avillo release

(Gettysburg, PA) -- Speaking to a packed house of military experts representing all political parties in Gettysburg last night, Congressional Candidate Phil Avillo told the audience that the Bush/Platts team "talked tough, but acted recklessly when it diverted our military resources from the real war against terrorism in Afghanistan and sent them to Iraq," Avillo said.

"In the war against terrorism we must be tough, but we must be smart," Avillo noted. "Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," reported recently to Congress that the situation in Afghanistan is tenuous, that we are not winning there, and that because of our continued occupation of Iraq we have too few troops available to fulfill that mission."

Most importantly, Avillo added, the Bush/Platts decision to invade Iraq betrayed "America's sacred covenant with the young men and women serving in the military." That covenant, Avillo insisted, "works both ways. Our warriors take an oath to defend and protect us, with their lives if necessary; we take an oath to them as well."

"Our oath obliges us to provide them with a clearly defined mission, to ensure that the mission is as well-planned as possible, that they have the equipment they need, that we look after their families when they are gone, and that we take care of them when they return home."

"The Bush/Platts team failed on virtually every one of these obligations. Their reckless and out-of-control betrayal of this sacred covenant has killed over 4000 brave men and women, wounded tens of thousands more, many permanently, destroyed families, wreaked havoc on the combat readiness of our forces, including active duty troops, the reserves, and the Guard, and undermined our efforts in the real war against terrorism."

"Sadly, while Mr. Platts has stood shoulder to shoulder with George W. Bush and voted 100% with the Bush Administration war policy in Iraq, his record supporting veterans is abysmal, voting only 30% of the time in support of critical issues for disabled wounded veterans during his first six years in Congress."

Avillo, a combat-wounded veteran who was named Central Pennsylvania's Honorary Chairman of Veterans for Obama at the event, also said that Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama, "has been right from the very first about the ill-advised invasion and occupation of Iraq. Barack Obama will bring wise and judicious decision making back to the Commander -in-Chief," he added, "as well as a sincere concern for America's men and women in arms. Barack Obama will re-establish that covenant between America's Commander in Chief, we, the people of the United States, and America's warriors he asks to defend this nation."

Mark Harrison, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Veterans for Obama and co-host of the Gettysburg event said, "Dr. Avillo has served our nation as a proven leader on the battlefield and in the community and we proudly join many thousands of veterans in supporting his candidacy for Congress in the 19th Congressional District."

"PA Veterans for Obama is calling upon military veterans, their families and friends in York, Adams and Cumberland counties, across Central PA, and throughout Pennsylvania to work hard to elect Phil Avillo for Congress and Barack Obama as President of the United States. " Harrison added. The event was co-hosted by the Adams County Democratic Committee, Roger Lund, Chair.