FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07-13-09 1110AM

The largest progressive group of veterans in America, with more than 100,000 members, has endorsed Anthony Woods’ campaign for Congress in California’s 10th District. VoteVets.org PAC will add Woods to its list of endorsed veteran candidates and donate to his campaign.

“Anthony Woods is a historic candidate for a critical point in history,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War veteran, and chairman of VoteVets.org. “Anthony is fresh, eager, and has an incredible track record of service. His military record is incredibly impressive. And, he’ll bring vigorous leadership to Congress that will benefit his district. We urge voters in his district to send him to Congress.”

Soltz particularly was impressed with Woods’ insight into military issues, and his record in the armed services.

“More and more, older veterans are retiring, leaving a dearth of experience in Congress on military issues. Anthony understands these issues incredibly well, and it’s important to have his expertise there in the halls of power,” said Soltz.

The son of a single mom from Fairfield, Anthony Woods is a decorated combat veteran, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He served two tours of duty in Iraq from 2004-2006, leading 81 soldiers in battle and earning the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal.

He volunteered for his first deployment to Iraq in 2004, leading a platoon of West Virginia National Guard soldiers. Woods deployed with his unit (as part of the 1st Infantry Division) to Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, serving as a platoon leader responsible for a volatile region housing more than 66,000 Iraqis for 11 months.

In June of 2005, Woods was again deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Upon his arrival, he immediately took command of a 64-soldier platoon. During this deployment, Woods’ unit was involved in the Battle for Tal Afar. Woods was awarded his Bronze Star during this nine-month tour.

Woods brought home all those soldiers who served under his command. He was discharged after challenging the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2008.

He was a co-recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Public Service Award for his work mentoring low-income minorities applying to college and numerous other community leadership activities – including co-founding the first student chapter of the Fuller Center for Housing, and making three trips to New Orleans to assist families struggling to rebuild following Hurricane Katrina.

Woods has gone on to work in both the public and private sectors, helping to craft economic solutions that put Americans back to work and attract new high wage industries

VoteVets.org PAC is a non-partisan organization that endorses exemplary veterans for Congress, primarily those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The group has previously endorsed veterans who went on to become Congressmen, including representatives Joe Sestak, Patrick Murphy, Chris Carney, Tim Walz, John Boccieri, Gary Peters, Walt Minnick and Eric Massa. The group also holds accountable those elected officials who do not act on behalf of our veterans and service members.

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