“I have met with our local troops, such as our area National Guard units and the 213th Area Support Group, as they deploy to and return from their overseas missions. I have visited our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed and at other military hospitals, both here and abroad, and I have spent time on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am continually impressed by the courage and professionalism of our men and women serving in both the military and civilian capacities, and I honor the sacrifices that they have made for our freedom. I want them all to come home, but I also want to make sure that all they have achieved, including their successful operations against terrorist groups in Iraq such as Al Qaeda, are not undone.” - Charlie Dent

While Charlie Dent was not a Member of Congress at the time the invasion of Iraq began, he has pushed the Administration to focus its attention in Iraq on containing the lethal forces of Al Qaeda terrorists. Thanks to the heroism and professionalism of our soldiers these forces are being beaten back but they are still seeking to launch attacks against America.

He has encouraged the Congress to adopt the principles that are in the Iraq Study Group report, which advocates regional cooperation in order to forge long-term solutions to Iraq’s problems and which calls for the Iraqi government to assume greater responsibility for its own security. Charlie knows that our commitment in Iraq cannot be open-ended. The Iraqis must ultimately take responsibility for their nation’s own security and stability. We can assist them to that end, but ultimately, like all nations, they will need to stand on their own.

And, Charlie voted for the recent improvements to the Montgomery G.I. Bill to benefit our men and women in uniform.