GOVERNOR, ANOTHER FORMER SENATOR AND GENERALS TO COME TO JOHNSTOWN TO RALLY VETS FOR MURTHA
JOHNSTOWN PA - The list of celebrity speakers continues to grow for the big Murtha veterans rally here Saturday.
Today vetsformurtha.org announced that Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, former U.S. Senator and disabled Vietnam veteran, Bob Kerrey, and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Ret. General Hugh Shelton will join former U.S. Senator Max Cleland and former head of NATO and former presidential candidate, Ret. General Wesley Clark as speakers at a pro-Murtha rally scheduled for 11 am, Saturday in Central Park, downtown Johnstown.
Sen. Cleland, chairman of Veterans for Murtha, the sponsoring organization, expressed his satisfaction at the "all-star roster of American heroes and leaders who will join with us this week to show how much we appreciate and applaud Jack Murtha,s leadership and courage in seeking a new direction in the Iraq war."
U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D- PA, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran will also address the crowd. Murtha represents Pennsylvania,s 12th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Organizers say the day will prove to be a patriotic festival filled with free food, beverages, refreshments, and musical entertainment. Four downtown parking garages will be available to provide plenty of ample free parking for attendees.
Musical artist Will Hawkins, who has performed for the troops through USO and for injured veterans at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC will be on stage to sing. He will perform for the crowd his popular song, "Johnstown."
More information is available at vetsformurtha.org on the Internet.
Bob Kerrey was born in Lincoln, Nebraska August 27, 1943. He graduated from University of Nebraska in 1966. He served in the United States Navy SEAL Special Forces unit 1966-1969 and was wounded in Vietnam, losing his leg, and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was Governor of Nebraska 1983-1987 and served in the U.S. Senate 1988-2001. A former candidate for President of the United States, Kerrey is now president of the New School University, a post he,s held since 2001. He was a member of the 9-11 Commission 2003-2004.
Hugh Shelton is a native of Tarboro NC. He received a Bachelor,s Degree from North Carolina State University and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Army infantry through Reserve Officer Training Corp. He holds a Master,s Degree from Auburn University. He spent 37 years in the military and was selected for promotion to brigadier general in 1968. He was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1997-2001. He has received four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. He joined NBC News as on-air commentator for breaking national security news in 2002.
Ed Rendell was inaugurated Pennsylvania 45th Governor in 2003. He served as Mayor of Philadelphia 1992-1999. He was District Attorney of Philadelphia 1978-1985. Rendell is an Army veteran, a 1965 graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Villanova Law School, 1968. He,s former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Max Cleland served in the U.S. Senate 1997-2003. He was born in Atlanta GA August 24, 1942 and is a 1964 graduate of Stetson University, Deland FL. In 1968, he received a Master,s degree from Emory University. He served in the U.S. Army, 1965-1968 attaining the rank of captain. He was wounded in combat and is a triple amputee disabled veteran. He served as President Carter,s administrator of the U.S. Veterans Administration 1977-1981. He was Georgia Secretary of State 1982-1996.
Wesley Clark was born in Chicago IL in 1944. He graduated first in his class at West Point. In 1966, he was awarded a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University where he earned a Master,s Degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. During 34 years of service in the U.S. Army, Wesley Clark rose to the rank of four star general as NATO,s Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. After his retirement in 2000, he became an investment banker, author commentator and businessman. He ran for President of the United States in 2004.