Tucson, Ariz. – Today, Giffords for Congress is releasing a new TV ad, “Backing Up Our Veterans.” The ad features U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian Kolfage discussing how Gabrielle helped him find the medical care he needed after he was severely wounded in Iraq.

“Congresswoman Giffords truly cares about veterans, and she backs it up,” Kolfage says in the ad.

The ad begins airing tomorrow in the Tucson media market.

As the only person in Congress married to someone on active duty in the military and the first person from Southern Arizona to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, Gabrielle understands the pressures facing military families.

Since taking office, Gabrielle has helped thousands of Southern Arizona veterans like Kolfage obtain the care they earned. She has recovered over $1 million dollars in VA and other benefits owed to these brave Arizona heroes.

Gabrielle is a strong voice fighting for the health care and education that our Southern Arizona veterans need. She voted for the largest VA funding increase in history and for resources for the VA to provide specialized care for 21st Century war injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Gabrielle helped push through the Post-9/11 GI Bill of Rights so our servicemen and women – or their spouses and children – can afford four years of college when they return home.

At a press conference held yesterday in Tucson, Gabrielle announced her endorsement by the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC. The VFW is the largest veterans organization in the nation with more than 2.1 million members.

Giffords was also endorsed by brave Southern Arizona heroes, including General John Wickham (Ret.), who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff under President Ronald Reagan, and USMC General John Cronin (Ret.), former Commanding General of the 4th Wing and former Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Quantico. Read more about these endorsements here: http://bit.ly/aabciu.

Transcript of “Backing Up Our Veterans”

[Brian Kolfage]
It was September 11th, 2004 and I walked out of my tent. A large blast just threw me to the ground.

[Text Graphic]
Iraq War Veteran Brian Kolfage

[Brian Kolfage]
I’d been hit by a rocket. They were trying to stop all the bleeding. Normal people don’t survive that.

[Brian Kolfage]
I met Congresswoman Giffords right after I moved here. She just was helpful and caring in trying to figure out if I had any transitional things I needed to take care of – paperwork, anything I may be facing.

[Brian Kolfage]
Congresswoman Giffords truly cares about veterans and she backs it up.

[Text Graphic]
Gabrielle Giffords helped pass the Wounded Warriors Act to improve veterans’ care.

[Gabrielle Giffords]
I’m Gabrielle Giffords and I’m honored to approve this message.

Gabrielle Giffords is a third generation Southern Arizonan and the only person in Congress with an active duty military spouse. Gabrielle is not like other politicians. She takes an independent view on the issues and was rated Arizona’s most moderate member of Congress by the National Journal in 2009. She’s voted against a Congressional pay raise every time one has come up, and she doesn’t make earmark requests for campaign contributors. Most importantly, Gabrielle stands up for Southern Arizona by working across the aisle to secure the border, protect our military and veterans and create jobs by investing in solar energy.

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