BND.com - Veterans Give Support to Plummer in 12th District Race

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By Jennifer A. Bowen

Republican congressional candidate Jason Plummer was at the Scott Air Force Base Heritage Air Park Thursday morning to announce his Veterans Coalition and talk to veterans about their concerns.

Plummer is running for Illinois' 12th Congressional District seat against Democratic congressional candidate retired Illinois National Guard Major Gen. Bill Enyart. The election is Nov. 6.

The Veterans Coalition is a group of veterans who support Plummer. Former Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady joined Plummer during the round table session with veterans at the Scott VFW Post 4183. O'Grady is the pilot shot down over Bosnia in 1995. He survived in enemy territory for six days before being rescued by the U.S. Marines. The 2001 movie "Behind Enemy Lines" was based on O'Grady's experiences.

"I'm really encouraged to see a veteran like Jason running for Congress," O'Grady said. "He understands the primary goal of our government is to protect us. We live in a dangerous world and the last thing we need to do right now is reduce that and that's what the politicians are trying to do. I'm really disturbed with the direction we are taking by weakening our military structure."

Plummer, who is an intelligence officer with the U.S. Navy Reserves and vice president of R.P. Lumber, noted the importance of the military, especially Scott Air Force Base, to the region and the nation.

"Our military force keeps peace," Plummer said. "They protect our economic well-being and our national security. The No. 1 function of our government is to protect our national security. My job and role in congress is to assure Scott Air Force Base continues to grow and continues to play an important role in our national security and our local economy.

"Because politicians from both parties can't sit down and work together there will be nearly a half trillion dollars cut from the Pentagon. This is not the time nor the era to be cutting our military and there is no reason why their inability to get together should impact our military and impact our United States."

Plummer sat down with veterans to find out what was on their minds. The No. 1 concern was the health and medical care of veterans and how military budget cuts will affect veterans and active duty. Second was the health care reform package passed early in President Barack Obama's term; Plummer said if elected he plans to work to repeal the law's provisions, then work to replace it with "true health care reform."

"This election is too important to sit on the sidelines," Plummer said. "By being on this coalition, veterans are showing they are not willing to sit on the sidelines."

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