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| Wilson Launches Community Effort to Support Military, Veterans and their Families |
April 05, 2007 |
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Initiative to build coordinated community support for veterans and their families
Albuquerque, NM - Congresswoman Heather Wilson today issued a "call to service" to the community and proposed a plan for a strong support network for New Mexico`s returning war veterans.
"Let`s ask ourselves a simple but powerful question: How will we welcome them home?" Wilson asked, referring to returning soldiers.
"New Mexicans have always served. Now is the time for those of us who enjoy the fruits of freedom to link arms and answer the call to serve and support those 24-hour heroes who defend it for the rest of us."
The announcement was the centerpiece of Wilson`s "State of the District" speech today before the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
Wilson said that services exist in the community for veterans and their families, but they are often operating in isolation. At the same time, there is a strong desire in the community to help and support our men and women in the military.
The community blueprint - a concept that started in Rhode Island - gathers community leaders together to identify gaps and ensure that support for veterans and military members are aware of and working hand-in-hand with each other.
In the coming weeks, Wilson will convene a meeting of prominent community leaders from all walks of life to launch the effort. A broad cross-section of leaders have already agreed to participate in this effort including:
Del Archuleta, CEO, Molzen-Corbin & Associates
Victor Chavez, Principal Engineer, Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers Inc.
Sue Cleveland, Superintendent, Rio Rancho Public Schools
Beth Everitt, Superintendent, Albuquerque Public Schools
Tina Cordova, Owner, Queston Construction
John Garcia, NM Cabinet Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs
Jack Holmes, President and CEO, United Way of Central NM
Kevin Jackson, Mayor, Rio Rancho
Joe Lujan, Vice President, Lujan Insurance Agencies
George Marnell, Director, Albuquerque Veterans Hospital
Sherman McCorkle, President of Technology Ventures Corporation
Steve McKernan, CEO, UNM Hospital
General Kenny Montoya, Adjutant General, NM National Guard
Alex Romero, President of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce
David Schmidly, Incoming President, UNM
Ron Stern, CEO, Lovelace Sandia Hospital
Colonel Robert Suminsby, Base Commander, Kirtland AFB
Lonnie Talbert, Chairman, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
John Stichman, Executive Vice President at Sandia National Labs
Kathy Winograd, Incoming President, CNM
"I feel that this is a wonderful idea and we look forward to working with the Congresswoman along with other community leaders on this worthwhile initiative," George Marnell, Director, New Mexico VA Health Care System.
"Clearly the community at large will benefit, not just veterans and their families," said Sherman McCorkle. "Such a blueprint in New Mexico will constructively impact hundreds if not thousands of lives. I appreciate Heather Wilson`s leadership on this, and I look forward to working with her.”
"We will welcome them home; we will lift them up; and we will make sure they are cared for," Wilson concluded.
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