vets endorse bush
Ex-national veterans leaders back Bush
Washington, DC, Sep. 8 (UPI) -- George W. Bush picked up the endorsement of two veterans' group leaders Wednesday as questions about his service in the Texas Air National Guard resurfaced.
During a conference call sponsored by the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign, former American Legion National Commander John Brieden and the former national leader of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ed Banas, gave Bush high marks for his commitment to veterans and to increasing U.S. national security.
Brieden, who hails from the president's home state of Texas, said he believed "George W. Bush is the best person to serve our country," as the war on terror is being prosecuted.
"I also have had the opportunity to personally hear Senator Kerry speak twice," Brieden said. "I feel all he's trying to do is tell every group what they want to hear. That means a different position for every group."
Banas, who lives in Connecticut, said Bush "has proven to be a steady leader over the past four years as well as a principled commander in chief."
"He has functioned with courage and conviction and he has never chaffed at the burdens of his obligations or at times more than likely the agony of his choices. ... Unfortunately John Kerry does not offer that," Banas said.
Meanwhile the Boston Globe reported that Bush may have failed to properly inform the guard of his move to Massachusetts to attend Harvard Business School.