Shenandoah Valley has lost another of the greatest generation

By Lynn R. Mitchell

A sad loss this week for Polly Campbell, long-time volunteer for the Republican Party of Virginia and secretary of RPV’s state central committee for 40 years. Her husband, Loren, passed away on Tuesday after losing his battle with pneumonia.  I have written in the past about Polly and her connection to Shenandoah National Park (see Polly Yager Campbell … growing up in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park,  Lunch with Polly Campbell … surprise presentation of RPV resolution, Resolution honoring Polly Campbell for 50 years with Republican Party of Virginia, Judge James Turk … ‘his one wish was to become a judge’).

Our thoughts and prayers are with Polly and her family at this sad time with gratitude to Loren for his service to our country.

Loren Emerson Campbell

December 18, 1922 – January 6, 2015

Veterans Day 2014: Their sacrifice enables our freedom

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Today we honor those who have sacrificed to enable our freedom.

At LynnRMitchell.com, two of our contributors are veterans. Today we thank them for their dedication to God and country. Contributor Daniel Cortez is a Marine Vietnam veteran who was wounded in 1970 and was decorated for extraordinary heroism in combat. Managing editor Kurt Michael is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers veteran. My husband, a Southeast Asia-Vietnam era Air Force veteran, is flying American flags in front of our home along with the POW-MIA flag, a reminder of those who did not come back.

Grandfathers, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors … heroes surround us.

As then-Governor Bob McDonnell, himself a U.S. Army veteran, noted in 2012, “The sacrifice of these heroes and their families makes it possible for us to continue to live and to freely pursue our dreams here in the greatest nation this world has ever known. Freedom is not free. Our brave veterans remind us of that every day. … I urge all Virginians to once again renew our pledge to all of those who are serving and have served: an eternally grateful Commonwealth and country stand forever ready to serve you. … We can’t just stop and recognize our heroes on one day. We must recognize them, serve them, and thank them every day. Our liberty depends upon their sacrifice.”

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Election 2014: Constitutional Amendment would allow property tax exemption for disabled vets, spouses of KIA

By Lynn R. Mitchell

There will be a proposed constitutional amendment  on Tuesday’s ballot. Below is the explanation of this law that would help the spouses of military members killed in action.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment

Proposed Constitutional Amendment to be voted on at the November 4, 2014 Election

Article X. Taxation and Finance. Section 6-A. Property tax exemption for certain veterans and surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action.

Suzanne Scholte, Rob Wittman to discuss military veterans issues in town hall

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Passings: Honoring a Vietnam veteran

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It’s a warm summer morning in Augusta County under mostly cloudy skies with thunderstorms in the forecast and hot temperatures on tap again as family and friends plan to gather later today to say goodbye to my across-the-street neighbor, Ralph Dameron, of Augusta County. His service as a teenager who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in the 1960s as a “tunnel rat” will be forefront at the funeral that will take place in a small, historic church in the pastoral Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.

Twenty-one American flags will wave in the breeze as Patriotic Guard Riders arrive at the church. A military honor guard will attend, and a horse-drawn caisson will wait to carry the flag-draped casket to the nearby grave site. Military veterans will be there to pay their respects including other Vietnam vets riding Harleys.

Another who served time in Vietnam is Daniel Cortez, U.S. Marine veteran who lives in Northern Virginia and is a contributing writer to LynnRMitchell.com. He left home at 5:00 a.m. today to make the trek to Augusta County and, even though he didn’t personally know Ralph, he wanted to pay his respects to a fellow Vietnam vet. The brotherhood is tight.

Ralph served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was there during the 1968 Tet Offensive. He was injured seven times, earned three Purple Hearts, and carried shrapnel in his body until the day he died. Ralph’s wife has asked that I take photos of today’s ceremonies. I will do my best to honor someone I called neighbor but also someone who answered the call to duty for America.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
–Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

Memorial Day … a salute to those who did not come home

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It’s Memorial Day 2014. Our Korean War veteran neighbor stopped by the house this morning looking for my Vietnam-era vet husband who was across the street visiting with our Vietnam veteran neighbor. Now the three of them are sitting out there talking … one can imagine the conversation between these friends, neighbors, and military survivors.

U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, May 21, 2014

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s office….

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21ST
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Last votes expected: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

H.R. 4031 – The Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014 (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)