Mica opponent joins pledge to hire wounded veterans
Darryl E. Owens | Sentinel Staff Writer
September 4, 2008
A candidate for a congressional seat that includes Central Florida counties is among several Florida hopefuls piggybacking on a New York politician's pledge to enlist wounded veterans as congressional staffers. But the move has left some veterans wary of a campaign ploy -- while still hoping for a windfall for injured service members.
Faye Armitage, a Democratic challenger to the 7th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, joins Mark Mulligan, R-Panama City; Allen West, R-Plantation; and Marion D. Thorpe Jr., R-Fort Lauderdale, among a group of candidates nationwide that have committed to the vet-friendly, nonpartisan hiring plan announced last month by Robert Straniere, a Republican from Staten Island.
Under his proposal, "The Wounded Warriors Workplace Initiative," Straniere pledges to fill at least one-third of his congressional staff with wounded vets and their immediate families. He has challenged other congressional candidates to march in his footsteps.
"It is the right thing to do for the over 600,000 returning service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars," Armitage said. "Vets [who would be] hired have earned their employment through their service to our country. To offer vets gainful employment is an appropriate way to thank them."And, some vets suspect, a way to court votes.
"It's probably good politics," said Jerry E. Pierce, a retired Army first lieutenant and president of Central Florida Veterans Inc., "and there will be a lot of related issues concerning affirmative action, et cetera, but we must put those feelings aside to help those who have sacrificed for our country. Having wounded warriors working in congressional offices also would be a constant reminder to those who send others off to war, as to what the human costs of war are."
Straniere's initiative would benefit veterans wounded in any U.S.-involved conflict. The Staten Island Advance reported that he estimated about 25 to 30 staffers support each Congress member, meaning vets could fill jobs such as researcher, community staffer and federal liaison.
"My goal is to have the halls of Congress staffed with wounded warriors and their family members," Straniere said in a news release.
That notion attracted Armitage, whose son was paralyzed by a soccer injury and whose son-in-law is serving in the Army in Iraq. She understands "the difficulties in finding employment as a disabled person," she said.
For Thorpe, the proposal dovetailed with his belief that "America must do more for our vets. . . . The time has come for our nation to resist any and all ancillary reasons that prevent us from doing what is inherently right."
Army Lt. Col. Dennis Freytes of Orlando couldn't agree more. He sees the initiative as a win-win for vets saddled with combat injuries and legislators hampered by martial inexperience.
"This is not an affirmative-action program, but an opportunity to give American veterans a voice in their American government, [which] owes them for the freedom and prosperity America enjoys today," Freytes said. "Today, the vast majority of congressmen have not served. . . . They need some experienced American veterans to advise them."
Indeed, the prospect of wounded warriors landing work on Capitol Hill helps ease some vets' worries that candidates may be using wounded vets to bank political capital.
"All politicians have an ulterior motive in their actions," said retired Army Lt. Col. Earle L. Denton, who served in Korea, including the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, "but at the same time, [Straniere and the others] are getting publicity, and good publicity will help the veterans gain more visibility in their interests and concerns."
Darryl E. Owens can be reached at dowens@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5095
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