[Iran] Our visit to the White House yesterday

From:info@votevets.org To: john.podesta@gmail.com Date: 2015-09-11 14:27 Subject: [Iran] Our visit to the White House yesterday

John - VoteVets supporter and Gold Star Mom Karen Meredith made a promise to her son when she buried him after he was killed in Iraq 11 years ago. Her promise was that she would do everything she could to ensure no other mother had to go through the pain she felt at that moment. Yesterday afternoon she fulfilled that promise. I was honored to join Karen, VoteVets supporter and Gold Star Mom Michelle DeFord, Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton, Colonel (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson, Petty Officer (Ret.) Rick Hegdahl and a number of other veterans at the White House to meet in person with President Obama and Secretary Kerry in support of a diplomacy-first approach with Iran that will keep them from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and us out of another war in the Middle East. And when I had my chance to talk to the President and Secretary Kerry -- the first thing I did was tell them about the hundreds of thousands of veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters who stood with them on this issue for the better part of two years. It was an important week for VoteVets: not only did our work directly help to stop attempts to scuttle the historic agreement that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but VoteVets led a delegation to the Capitol where we met with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and thirty representatives supporting the agreement, and we also stopped by a number of congressional offices to carry your voices with us in conversations with other members who were still on the fence. This victory for the safety and security of our nation, and members of our military, would not have been possible with the work and commitment of over 100,000 veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters who made their voices heard on this issue. Help us continue our work on behalf of veterans and military family members with a $3 contribution to VoteVets today. http://action.votevets.org/dc-visit President Obama said it best at our meeting: "These veterans have come together in their defense of our national security. They believe in maintaining the strongest military the world has ever known. They are proud of our military capabilities and recognize that there are times when it is necessary that we take military action. But what they also understand is that American power relies as well on strong and principled diplomacy." We were proud to support him in this effort -- even as outside groups poured millions of dollars into stopping the deal. By elevating the voices of veterans in this debate, we were able to successfully articulate a vision for America's role in the world that doesn't always rely on military power first, but recognizes diplomacy as a powerful tool as well. We are the only progressive veterans group who could have stepped in to fill this much needed role. VoteVets' veterans from every state and congressional district in the country participated in our campaign to support this agreement. That's something we can ALL be proud of. Help VoteVets continue our work with a $3 contribution today. http://action.votevets.org/dc-visit It's been an exciting few days in Washington, D.C. And I want you to know that every minute I was here, meeting with members of congress, and even in the White House, I was thinking of each and every one of you who made this important victory for the future of our country possible. This moment belongs to all of us. All my best, Jon Soltz Iraq War Veteran and Chairman VoteVets http://action.votevets.org/unsubscribe Paid for by VoteVets Action Fund