VETS ENDORSE OBAMA

Vets endorse Obama



By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustinerecord.com
Publication Date: 09/15/08


St. Johns County supporters of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama gathered Sunday to hear four speakers with impressive military backgrounds endorse him.

Voters at the St. Augustine Cultural Arts Center applauded as the speakers gave anecdotal reasons why Obama, D-Ill., will improve veterans affairs. The speakers, such as Command Sgt. Maj. Michele Jones, of Jacksonville, toured central and northeastern Florida on Sunday.

Jones was the first female to reach the high ranking in the United States Army Reserve. She retired last year and is now able to openly support a presidential candidate. She said Obama will have "zero tolerance for homeless veterans." The disabled veteran said she has never felt so strongly about a candidate.

"He listens," she said. "He will make sure veterans' affairs are fully funded."

The speakers were about 30 minutes late for the event, but the crowd of about 50 enthusiastic Obama supporters didn't seem to mind, including St. Augustine resident Derek Hankerson.

Hankerson said he's a Republican, but he came to the event because he believes there are "St. Johns County residents who are in the closet voting Obama. But I'm much more vocal."

"I have never voted for a Democrat, but this year I will be," Hankerson said. "I will never change my party affiliation, and this may be a kiss of death, but you know what, I've had enough."

Hankerson is so certain there are other Republicans who feel the same that he's starting a group called Republicans for Obama.

Jones said people can relate to Obama.

"Sen. Obama is not a politician," she said. "He's an American citizen who has decided to run for president to represent us."

She gave the example of how four years ago one of her "babies," what she calls her soldiers, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He was from Illinois, so Jones contacted Obama, whom she did not know at the time. She told the senator that even though the soldier was not able to fulfill his tour of duty he should still be considered a veteran and receive health benefits. Obama agreed, Jones said.

"He contacted his family and talked about him in front of Congress," Jones said. "I said, 'I will never forget (Obama).'"

The three other speakers included Gen. Claudia Kennedy, the first female to reach the rank of three-star general in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps 15th Sgt. Maj. John Estrada, the first and only Latino to serve in the position, and Staff Sgt. Michael Wilson, who served as a medic in the Air Force and went to Iraq.

Wilson, who is from Melbourne, had his own story of not receiving health benefits as a veteran. He was in a car accident and his medical costs totalled $175,000; his salary is $36,000. He won a dinner with Obama in a drawing and told him the story.

"He became visibly upset. (Obama) said, 'This is not right,'" Wilson said. "He stayed in contact with me. He is very sincere."

St. Augustine City Commissioner Errol Jones introduced the speakers and said he met Obama about a month ago when he was in Jacksonville campaigning.

"I'm looking forward to being a part of history," Jones said, referring to Obama being the first African-American presidential candidate. "I am ready for a change."


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