FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2020
Photo Release: Kuster Announces Veterans for Kuster Support
**Photos from the Veterans for Kuster press conference are available HERE**
(Nashua, NH) – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster is announcing a group of Granite State veterans supporting her for re-election. The group cited Congresswoman Kuster’s long record of standing up for veterans, servicemembers, and their families in their endorsement. Kuster has worked with Republicans and Democrats to improve access to care and services for veterans throughout her time in Congress. She was one of just two Democrats in the House to cosponsor the VA MISSION Act, which expanded access to community care for NH veterans. This legislation helps veterans in states like New Hampshire that lack a full-service VA medical facility and expands access to the Choice Program for all veterans in the Granite State. She also helped to pass into law the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act which extended a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides to veterans who served off the coast during the Vietnam War.
“It is so important that we stand up and support those who have sacrificed so much for us,” said Annie Kuster. “As the daughter of a World War II Prisoner of War, taking care of the men and women who serve is personal. We need to work together across the aisle to ensure our veterans are served as well as they have served us. Whether it’s expanding veterans’ access to care so they can get the services they need and deserve or securing affordable housing units for homeless veterans, I’m so proud to stand up for the brave men and women who have served our country.”
“Both Annie’s and my father served during WWII, so I know that supporting veterans is not just a job for her—it’s personal," said former US Ambassador Terry Schumaker. "Annie's father Malcolm McLane flew over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and spent 6 months as POW after being shot down during the Battle of the Bulge. During her time in Congress, Annie has honored that service by working across party lines to pass legislation to help veterans cut through red tape to access their benefits, and expand veterans access to healthcare in their own communities. She fought for additional resources to end veterans homelessness. Annie puts politics aside to deliver real results for New Hampshire’s veterans. I was honored to serve my country twice, first in the Army and then as an United States Ambassador, and I so appreciate Annie’s commitment to those who have served."
“I am proud to have worked with Annie Kuster to advance the VA Choice and Accountability Act,” said Maura Sullivan, former Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Marine Corps Veteran. "Annie has been able to work across the aisle to address challenges in access to care for veterans. She helped pass the VA MISSION Act and pushed for provisions that uniquely support Granite State veterans by expanding access to community care. If there were more representatives working as hard for veterans as Annie Kuster, our country would be better off."
“Annie Kuster has done a great job in Congress on many issues, but particularly veterans affairs,” said Howard Shaffer, a U.S. Navy veteran. “She knows firsthand what veterans need because her father was a World War II Prisoner of War. Her understanding of his experience shows, and everyday in Congress she fights for the veterans of the Granite State with such passion it’s like we’re a part of her family.”
“I’m voting for Annie Kuster, and I hope everyone else does too because she’s been doing great work for veterans,” said Dan Toomey, a U.S. Air Force veteran. “Not only did Annie serve six years on the House Veterans Affairs committee, she’s also worked tirelessly to ensure Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange got the critical health benefits that they need, and she’s continued to reach across the aisle to cosponsor important legislation like the VA MISSION Act, which works to expand community care for veterans.”
“Annie has always shown that she has veterans' backs and that’s why when it comes to sending her back to Congress, I have hers,” said Dan Millbauer, a U.S. Army, ARNG veteran. “I’m supporting Annie Kuster for Congress because she understands veterans and our needs and she fights for the veterans of the Granite State every day. She’s worked with members of both parties to expand veteran access to health care and improve the quality of care available, and I’m proud to be voting for her in this election.”
The full list of Veterans for Kuster includes:
Scott Robart, Sutton, US Marine Corps
Thomas Barry, Nashua, US Army
Christopher Wallenstein, Bennington, US Navy
Mark Durgin, Springfield, US Air Force
Robert Grimley, Grantham, US Air Force
Robert H. Porter, Claremont, NH Army National Guard
Pete McVay, Atkinson, US Navy Reserve
Don Leisman, Pembroke, US Army
Harvey Harkness, Epsom, US Army
Howard Miller, Henniker, US Army
Judith Miller, Henniker, US Army Nurse Corps
Stephen Enroth, North Sutton, US Army
Cynthia Chase, Keene, US Navy
Stillman Rogers, Richmond, US Army
Cathy Fountain, Dalton, US Navy
Howard Shaffer, Enfield, US Navy
Karen Fesler, Bath, US Navy
Linda Lauer, Bath, US Navy
Val Scarborough, Plymouth, US Marine Corps
David Perkins, Amherst, US Army
Hon. John Knowles, Hudson, US Army
Karl Stamm, Hudson, US Army
Rep. Skip Cleaver, Nashua, US Marine Corps
James McGaffigan, Litchfield, US Army
Kent Hackmann, Andover, US Army
Gareth Vincent, Hudson, US Army
Philip Cate Huckins PhD, Keene, USAF
Harvey Keye, Nashua, US Army
Roger Lessard, Greenfield, Army National Guard
Rep. Bill Bordy, Nashua, US Army
Rep. Dan Toomey, Nashua, US Air Force
Bill Gould, New Boston, US Navy
Manson Donaghey, Pembroke, US Army
Dennis Nyhagen, Nashua, US Air Force
Carl Peters, New Boston, US Army
Rep. Steve Shurtleff, Penacook, US Army
John Wallace, Bow, US Navy
Charlie Mooskian, Pelham, US Navy
Joe Magruder, Concord, US Navy
Bob Baker, Columbia, US Air Force
Don Rankin, Wilton, US Army
Dorothea Ottaviano, Peterborough, US Air Force
Harold Solomon, Nashua, US Navy
Richard G. Ouellette, Nashua, US Air Force
Dan Millbauer, Peterborough, US Army
Carl Martland, Sugar Hill, US Army
Rachael Booth, Landaff, US Navy
Kathleen Martin-Bonhaus, Enfield, US Coast Guard
Robert Lamb, Holderness, US Army
Rebecca Clough, Keene, US Air Force
Denis Demers, Cornish, US Army
Rep. Bill Hatch, Gorham, US Air Force
David Swenson, Keene, US Army
Miriam Cahill-Yeaton, Epsom, US Air Force
Norman David Yeaton, Epsom, US Air Force
Ronald White, Franklin, US Air Force
Elizer Rivera, Keene, Coast Guard
Ed Friedrich, Loudon, US Marine Corps
Melvin Heidt, Berlin, US Navy
Patricia Martin, Bath, US Air Force
Rep. John Mann, Alstead, US Navy
Gilman Shattuck, Hillsborough, US Navy
Michael St. Germain, Amherst, US Army
Ron King, Concord, US Air Force
Scott Chase, Keene, US Navy
Sally Fellows, Plymouth, US Army
Philip Stockwell, Warner, US Navy
Jimmy Williams, Sunapee, US Navy
Lloyd Murray, Stark, US Marine Corps
Terry Shumaker, Concord, US Army
John Jones, Bradford, Special Forces
Camron Iannalfo, Salem, US Navy
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