Parties put their vets out front for Iraq debate

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-02-13-house-iraq_x.htm?csp=1


Parties put their vets out front for Iraq debate
Updated 2/13/2007 11:07 PM ET

By Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Democrats offered a display of military force Tuesday as the House began three days of debate on a resolution expressing disapproval of President Bush's decision to commit 21,500 more troops to the war in Iraq.

Eleven military veterans, whose service stretched from World War II to the current conflict in Iraq, were among Democrats speaking in favor of the resolution. They ranged from Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, a soldier during World War II and the longest-serving member of the House, to newly elected Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania, a former three-star admiral whose aircraft carrier battle group conducted operations in the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts.

Sestak questioned "the continuing use of our national treasure in what is an inconclusive, open-ended involvement." Dingell was more blunt, saying that the debate over Iraq boils down to whether "there will be more deaths if we leave or more deaths if we stay."

Republicans will counter on Thursday, when Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas leads a group of GOP veterans speaking against the resolution.

Johnson spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam after his plane was shot down; he was released 34 years ago this week. At a news conference Tuesday, he cited his experience in warning about the effects that debate could have on troops. ........