Veterans' Support Group Aims to Get Presidential Candidates' Attention

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Dec 26, 2007 at 9:23 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 26, 2007 at 9:23 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Hundreds of thousands of American veterans have no place to call home. A nationwide veterans’ support group wants the next president to change that.

The Circle of Friends for American Veterans is touring the caucus and primary states to get on the presidential candidates' radar. The group wants more rights and benefits for vets.

Pictures from battlefields across the ocean beam back to America just about every day.

But, you don't see or hear much about what happens when the troops come back home.

"Most people support the troops, but after they come back, they have a tendency to forget the veterans," Brian Hampton, president of Circle of Friends, said.

Circle of Friends for American Veterans wants the government to help ease soldiers' transition back into society.

"Nowadays -- 8:00 in the morning, you're getting shot at, and at midnight, you're on a flight coming home," veteran Gene Peterson said.

The group wants the government to provide more counseling for the troops and more beds for homeless veterans.

"We have a great, great country, but our government is doing a very poor job supporting American veterans," Hampton said.

The organization is rolling out a veterans' bill of rights at tour stops in the major primary and caucus states. They're hoping presidential candidates will notice and start talking more about veterans' issues.

"I've watched a dozen of these presidential debates. I've heard 300 questions. I haven't heard one question yet directed to these candidates about what they are going to do to help 25 million American vets," Hampton said.

With the caucuses only about a week away, presidential candidates are spending much of their time here in Iowa.

So, the group says now is the perfect time to get their attention and possibly change hundreds of thousands of veterans' lives.
The group plans to rally Thursday night at the Cedar Rapids Knights of Columbus on A Avenue.

It starts at 7:00, but they'd like everyone to arrive about a half hour early.

Organizers have invited all of the candidates or their campaign representative to participate.

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