The Veterans for National Security Foundation Holds Inaugural Fall Reception at the Residence of America Online Founder
The Veterans for National Security (VNS) Foundation hosted scores of political, military and business leaders at a reception in McLean, Virginia on Monday, October 4th. The event took place at the residence of James V. Kimsey who is a distinguished West Point graduate, decorated Vietnam veteran, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of America Online (AOL) as well as Founder of the Kimsey Foundation headquartered in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 11, 2004
The Veterans for National Security (VNS) Foundation hosted scores of political, military and business leaders at a reception in McLean, Virginia on Monday, October 4th.
The event took place at the residence of James V. Kimsey who is a distinguished West Point graduate, decorated Vietnam veteran, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of America Online (AOL) as well as Founder of the Kimsey Foundation headquartered in Washington. More information about Mr. Kimsey can be found at www. kimseyfoundation. org.
“During this time of a global war on terrorism, less than 30% of all Congressmen and Senators have served in the United States Armed Forces compared to the more than 70% who were military veterans in the 1970s,” said Chairman Olds. “These same members cast votes and make decisions each day that affect the lives of our servicemen and women, their families and the security of our citizens.”
Olds continued, “it is critical that more of our decision-makers, both in federal and state office, understand the mission and needs of the military through their own service as well as ensuring that the health, welfare, safety and combat readiness of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guard are paramount to partisanship.”
A partial list of the wide array of political, military and business leaders in attendance included:
Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jack Nicholson Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Michael Montelongo U. S. Senator Jack Reed (West Point graduate, former Army Ranger) Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (House district includes Fort Campbell, Kentucky) Congressman Mark Kirk (Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer) Congressman James Langevin (Member, House Armed Services Committee) Major General (Retired) Arnold Punaro Sergeant Major of the Department of Defense (Retired) Dr. Marshall Williams Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Jack Tilley Washington, DC Mayor Anthony Williams (U. S. Air Force Veteran) Federal Judge (Retired) and CEO of the Gavel Consulting Group Eugene Sullivan Major General (Retired) Joseph Franklin, Chairman and CEO of Frequency Electronics Brigadier General (Retired) Steve Cheney, Chief Operating Officer of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) Comfort Systems USA Chairman and CEO William Murdy (West Point graduate, former Army Ranger)
The VNS Foundation also honored two American heroes who were part of Task Force Ranger eleven years ago in Mogadishu, Somalia. The first, Master Sergeant Matt Eversmann, was portrayed by actor Josh Harnett in the critically acclaimed movie "Blackhawk Down." The second was a Special Forces AH-6 "Little Bird" pilot who flew close air support missions over Mogadishu on October 3-4, 1993 as a part of the most intense battle that soldiers of the U. S. military had engaged in since Vietnam.
Mr. Kimsey presented both gentlemen with encased and inscribed Ranger knives as symbols of each soldier’s bravery, warrior spirit and steadfast adherence to the “Ranger Creed,” that no soldier be left behind, during their combat operations in Somalia. During his own comments, Mr. Kimsey shared with the dignitaries gathered that “our society currently suffers from an under representation and participation in civic and legislative activities among military veterans. The Veterans for National Security Foundation was formed to correct that disparity.”
Kimsey spent four days and $150,000 of his own money last year when he accompanied members of the International Commission on Missing Persons on their mission to identify the remains of Iraqis who went missing during Saddam Hussein’s twenty-four year rule of the country. During his remarks on the current situation in the Middle East, Kimsey remarked, “We need more veterans in Congress who can utilize their own military ingenuity, experience and wisdom in dealing with Iraq.”
The event was sponsored by Innovative Technology Application (ITA) Inc., a Springfield, VA-based company specializing in providing information technology services to the federal government. Donald Brewster, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of ITA, represented the company at the reception. Mr. Brewster is a West Point graduate who served as an Air Defense Officer during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
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The Veterans for National Security Foundation is a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to distinguished military veterans who seek to continue a lifetime of service to the nation. In nonpartisan fashion, VNS supports veterans of the U. S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines who currently serve in elected government positions at both the federal and state level. Additionally, our organization further supports those deserving veterans who run for state office or for the U. S. House, U. S. Senate or the Presidency of the United States.
For more information on the VNS Foundation, log onto www. TheVNSF. org
