For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) met with a Bellingham Iraq War veteran who is assisting the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. Murray is a national leader on veterans' health care issues and sits on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs.

Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Michael Christensen of the Naval Construction Battalion was recognized today at a hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. CM2 Christensen returned from Iraq on March 19th, 2007 after ten months in theater. He received two Purple Hearts while in Iraq. CM2 Christensen is continuing to serve his county by assisting the Wounded Warriors Commission for three months in Washington D.C.

"I want to thank CM2 Michael Christensen for his continued service to our country," Murray said. "After returning from deployment, too many of our men and women in the armed services are not receiving the care and benefits that they have earned. I will continue to work with anyone and everyone to make sure that all of our wounded warriors are taken care of."

CM2 Christensen, 30, is a graduate of Meridian High School in Bellingham.

Executive Order Establishing the Wounded Warriors Commission