Veterans meet at local cafe to discuss Hillary Clinton’s plan for military families
“I think someone like Hillary will listen to us.”
By Ari Berkowitz
Dougie J’s Cafe is a special place. Co-owned by Suni Chabrow, it is named after her son who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. He was 23.
On Saturday, veterans and military families packed into the restaurant to discuss the many issues facing the community, and to hear about Hillary Clinton’s plan to make sure America’s veterans get the care they’ve earned.
Jonathan Murray, Hillary for America’s Director of Veterans and Military Families Outreach — a Marine veteran who served under Secretary Clinton with USAID in Afghanistan — moderated the discussion. He was joined by Congressman Gallego of Arizona, also a Marine and Iraq veteran, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a veteran of the Navy, and retired Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett, and Nathan Fletcher of the Three Wise Men Foundation.
Some battle scars aren’t visible, and one of the veterans who attended shared his struggle with post-traumatic stress (PTS), a mental health condition that is triggered by a traumatic or terrifying event such as combat. Once back home, he had trouble navigating the veterans health program, and had the impression that he had to “prove” that he had PTS — over, and over again. “I think someone like Hillary will listen to us,” he said, “that’s why I’m with her.”
Kia Hamel, a Navy veteran, shared some of the obstacles she faced while serving as one of the first 300 women on the U.S.S. Nimitz, one of the largest battleships in the world. Kia stands with Secretary Clinton, because “she understands our issues as a woman.” Mayor Garcetti chimed in, noting Hillary’s record of championing veterans’ issues, particularly sexual violence. “There’s never been a man or woman who’s been as qualified to run for president,” he said.
Congressman Ruben Gallego of Arizona agreed.
“We don’t need a one-issue candidate. This is not a one-issue world. We need a multifaceted, experienced woman to be the next president of the United States.” — Rep. Gallego
Stand with Hillary and military families around the country and participate in the Nevada caucus next Saturday, February 20th at 11:00 AM. To find your caucus location, click here.
