Press Release - Nov 9, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, NOV. 9, 2007
CONTACT
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER STATEMENT SUPPORTING COLORADO'S VETERANS
On the eve of Veterans Day weekend, Gov. Bill Ritter today issued the following statement in support of Colorado's military veterans, active-duty personnel, Colorado National Guard members, and military families:
"As the son of a veteran, and on behalf of the people of Colorado, I want to extend my personal gratitude to Colorado's military veterans and their families. Their commitment to public service and the sacrifices they have made for their country, this state and their communities deserve the highest recognition we can give them. We also must acknowledge our active-duty military personnel and Colorado National Guard members who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere."
Gov. Ritter also offered his appreciation to state officials for their military service, including Senators Brandon Shaffer, Jack Taylor, Steve Ward and Mike Kopp, Representatives Joe Rice, David Balmer, Bill Cadman, Rafael Gallegos, Kent Lambert, John, Soper and Al White, and Secretary of State Mike Coffman.
Gov. Ritter's father served in the Army during World War II. He died in 2005 and is buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Gov. Ritter's father-in-law, Marwood Lewis, was a Navy captain.
Colorado is home to approximately 450,000 military veterans.
More than 300 Colorado National Guard members are currently deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, with more than 200 scheduled for deployment over the next month. Over the past five years, 2,000 Colorado National Guard members have been deployed, with two fatalities.
Gov. Ritter's FY08-09 budget proposal includes funding for several veteran-related programs, including $2.3 million to restore the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund to pre-recession levels.
The Governor issued a proclamation earlier this week saluting Colorado's veterans. On Saturday, he will participate in the annual Veterans Day Parade and tribute in Denver.