Supporting Kirk, support vets, troops

I am writing to encourage every veteran, family member of a veteran or anyone who simply cares about our men and women in uniform to support a genuine champion of veterans in Illinois and nationwide, Congressman Mark Kirk. Illinois veterans have no better friend in Congress than Mark Kirk. The North Chicago VA serves thousands of veterans in Northern Illinois. Without Mark Kirk, that hospital would not be open today. When the federal government tried to close it down, Mark Kirk stood up and said NO. Kirk not only successfully saved the North Chicago VA, and the hundreds of jobs it provides to the North Chicago community, he also secured millions of dollars to expand and improve the hospital and the vital services it provides. Kirk has served, and still serves, in the military himself. As a naval reservist, Kirk served during conflicts with Iraq, Haiti and Bosnia. And last December, he became the first sitting member of Congress to serve in an imminent danger zone since 1942 when he deployed to Afghanistan. Congressman Kirk is now running for Senate and veterans all over the state will get to learn what those of us in Kirk's district have known for nearly a decade: Mark Kirk is the real deal. I encourage you to support him, because he will support you in Washington. Always has, and always will.

Al Lynch

U.S. Army, retired

Medal of Honor Recipient

Gurnee