Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, kicked off the official launch of Wisconsin Veterans and Military Families for Biden in September, where coalition members cited Vice President Biden’s commitment to our service members, veterans, and military families, and his promise to ensure they receive the full support and benefits they have earned and deserve. The group also shared their experiences as veterans and members of military families, the issues that are at stake this election, and how a Biden-Harris administration would provide veterans and their families the support they need.
The event came after Wisconsin veterans spoke out against President Trump’s reported comments that he called service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice “suckers” and “losers.”
“Right now, we have a Commander-in-Chief who has failed to protect our troops and lead them effectively,” said State Representative Diane Hesselbein, a military spouse. “President Trump has reportedly called them ‘suckers’ and ‘losers’ and it’s time for new leadership. Joe Biden will be ready to assume this role on day one because he has the experience, temperament, and integrity worthy of this great responsibility.”
“Joe Biden understands military families and the issues they face because he is a member of one,” said Eugene Manzane, USMC veteran. “He’ll bring that shared experience with him to the White House and put it to use when he’s forced to make the tough, critical decisions that come across a president’s desk every single day.”
“The service and sacrifice our veterans and military families make are immense, but President Trump has only belittled and demeaned them,” said Dottie Le Claire, Secretary of the DPW’s Veterans Caucus. “In this election, we have the opportunity to elect a true leader who will command the respect of leaders abroad, rather than cozy up to dictators and bad actors like Putin who threaten the safety and security of our service members. Joe Biden will always act in our troops best interest and has the plans to make sure they are provided the support they earned.”
“Joe Biden has the ability to unite our nation and fulfill the promises made to our veterans and military families,” said Paul Krakau, U.S. Navy veteran. “He fully recognizes the gravity of their commitment and when he is president we will never have to question whether he is putting their interests ahead of his own. The role of Commander in Chief is the most profound responsibility a president holds and Joe Biden is the man for the job.”
As president, Joe Biden would provide veterans with the world class health care they have earned, restore trust and integrity at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and promote veterans’ mental health and well-being. He will also fight to support military families by investing in military child education, improving support for caregivers, ending financial burdens on survivors, and ensuring military spouses have professional and economic opportunity.
The following veterans and military families endorse Joe Biden:
- Andy Berg, U.S. Army
- Eldor Bethke, U.S. Army
- Dave Boetcher, U.S. Army
- Doug Bradley, U.S. Army
- Margaret Breisch, U.S. Army
- Tim Buban, U.S. Army
- Melody Carranza, U.S. Army
- Jim Carroll, U.S. Army
- Bill Christofferson, U.S. Marine Corps
- William Crawford, U.S. Navy
- Keith Cribbs, U.S. Navy
- Don Ekstrom, U.S. Navy
- Gene Fleming, U.S. Navy
- Dan Goglin, U.S. Marine Corps
- Gary Hawley, U.S. Coast Guard
- Bill Healy, U.S. Army
- Dianne Hesselbein, Military Spouse
- Bob Hesselbein, U.S. Army, Air Force
- Jonathan Hoerl, U.S. Marine Corps
- Ben Hofer, U.S. Navy
- Keith Howard-Streicher, U.S. Army
- Michael Ingalls, U.S. Air Force
- Helen Johnson, military spouse
- John Kidd, U.S. Marine Corps
- Richard Kirchhoff, U.S. Army
- Paul Krakau, U.S. Navy
- Eric Larsen, U.S. Navy
- Eric Larson, U.S. Coast Guard
- Dottie LeClair, Secretary of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Veterans Caucus
- James Macon, U.S. Marine Corps
- Eugene Manzanet, U.S. Marine Corps
- Ken McAndrew, U.S. Marine Corps
- Robert “Mac” McDermott, U.S. Navy
- Joseph McGonigle, U.S. Air Force
- Alannah McReavey, US Army Reserves
- Nick Milroy, U.S. Navy
- Saul Newton, U.S. Army
- Paul Norman, U.S. Army
- Ted Poull, U.S. Army
- Tena Quackenbush, U.S. Marine Corps
- Stephen Rasmus, U.S. Navy
- Roger Reed, U.S. Army
- Curtis L Schmitt Jr., U.S. Army
- Richard Sperko, U.S. Navy
- Tracey Sperko, U.S. Navy
- George Stacy, U.S. Army
- Leon Staples, U.S. Navy
- Kimberly Stuart, U.S. Air Force
- Guy, Temple, U.S. Air Force
- Rob Turner, U.S. Air Force
- Michael Walker, U.S. Army
- Michael Williams, U.S. Navy
