While aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, S.C. on Thursday, Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry announced the formation of the Veterans for Perry Coalition.
Highlighting the fact that he is the only candidate in the GOP race that volunteered for military service — flying the C-130 tactical airline aircraft in the Air Force from 1972 to 1977 — the Texas governor promised to honor the military as president.
“I will be the first to tell you that this country has given me more than I could ever offer in return,” Perry said. “It is one of the highest honors of my life to be endorsed by more than 100 distinguished veterans from all across the country today. As president, I will be committed to honoring their service with the resources, support and leadership they deserve.”
Perry’s campaign pointed out that as governor, he worked to lessen the burdens of voting while deployed, extended the property tax exemption for fully disabled veterans to their spouses, and put millions of dollars into assisting veterans with housing loans, tuition, and easing the transition to civilian life in Texas.
“As the only presidential candidate who volunteered to serve his country, the way that I did, I am confident that Gov. Perry will be an advocate for veterans like myself as President of the United States,” Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient and a Veterans for Perry Coalition national co-chair, said in a statement. “I know that he understands the privilege of serving our country and will honor and support veterans like myself.”
The group includes over 100 distinguished veterans that support Perry’s campaign. The Texas governor’s campaign also has a feature on its website for veterans to join the coalition.
