My Friends,

I just returned from a week in Germany carrying out my role as a colonel in the Air Guard on assignment as the Assistant to the Air Force Surgeon General for European Headquarters. While I was there I oversaw and reviewed the treatment of soldiers who were injured in the line of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of those that come to us are young men and women in their late teens and early twenties of different races, ethnicities, backgrounds and histories from across our country. Some come from families with a long history of military service and others were the first in their families to join our military. Yet, everyone one of them has an unwavering love for our country and a commitment to serve our flag and stand up for the freedoms in which they so dearly believe. I am always in awe of these men and women. The greatest honor of my life has been to serve alongside these brave warriors, and I thank God for every moment I have been given to serve.

Many of these brave Americans are enduring injuries that require long term care. In some cases, they will make a full recovery and return back to the service and normal day-to-day life. Others are not as fortunate and require more intensive care. Advances in medicine have allowed us to save lives where in the past, they may have been lost. However, in doing so, we now have to face the fact that these soldiers will require our support for the rest of their lives. This is an issue that is vitally important to me and one of the reasons why I am running for Congress.

These soldiers who have given so much deserve to have a voice in Congress who is not only willing to stand up for their rights, but also who understands the nitty-gritty details required to provide the support that they deserve.

Three years ago, we learned of the failings at Walter Reed Military Hospital. I remember the anger that I felt, and the anger — and embarrassment — that our nation felt, when we learned that our sons and daughters were not receiving the medical care they needed. We failed to live up to our part of the bargain: to support those soldiers who were so willing to protect us.

As we continue to try and rid the world of terrorism, we know there will be more causalities, more injuries and more long term disabilities. We need a voice for these soldiers who risked their lives, for those families who have given this great nation so much and for the caregivers who are now entrusted to help our soldiers recover. I hope you will keep our troops in your prayers and support them in whatever way possible. You would be surprised how far a simple “Thank you” can go in the day of the life of a soldier.

Thanks for your Support,

Dr. John McGoff