This piece was written by Matt Lang and originally appeared here, at fairfaxtimes.com
Northern Virginia is known as a home to military families and veterans. Elections come and go, and so does the rhetoric of “support for” or “advocacy for” different groups. Yet, when the election cycle is over, how does all this talk truly measure up in terms of actions and pro-veteran policies? Anyone can say he is “pro military veteran,” but when push comes to shove, supporting those in uniform and those who have served comes down to a lifestyle of respect and honor for the military, our nation’s history of sacrifice and never forgetting about the immense sacrifices made for our freedom even when it is not politically expedient.
It takes a veteran to know a veteran.
As a proud veteran, I had the privilege of serving our great nation. I was appalled when I learned of the recent news of the denial of assistance to a disabled veteran in Fairfax County. Our current Board of Supervisors refused to honor property tax exemptions to John P. Sopko, who served our nation with great courage. Under the Virginia State Constitution, disabled veterans are guaranteed property tax exemptions. I am grateful that Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares proactively stepped in to condemn the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ not only unconstitutional but also unjust denial of tax exemptions to Mr. Sopko. It sickens me to think of others who have been treated with such gross negligence and disregard by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
While the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors feels free to continue raising their salaries and increasing our taxes to line their pockets, they took a further and even more glaring step to deny a man who served our country his right to property tax exemptions. That is a basic entry point to being able even to say one is ‘pro veteran’, i.e., to follow the laws of the land that protect those who have served. To disregard and break those laws – unbelievable.
Who are some of the key movers and shakers on the Board of Supervisors who are also seeking to move up the ladder to gain more power and political fame? One name stands out (and not for the better)- James Walkinshaw. Supervisor Walkinshaw first ran for the Board of Supervisors after working on Capitol Hill for the late Congressman Gerry Connolly. I get that many in our area work for Members of Congress. That is fine. After working for Congressman Connolly, Walkinshaw ran for Braddock Supervisor, promising to be a moderate, a family guy, and a young upstart. However, since sitting in his role, we have seen a decline in family-friendly and veteran-friendly policies and even rhetoric in Fairfax County. For me, the final straw was Walkinshaw’s lack of care for due services to a veteran. What a glaring admission of a lack of care and concern for men and women and families who have served our nation with honor and integrity.
So why all the talk about Walkinshaw? The Braddock Supervisor wants to continue his political climb in the Sept. 9 special election with a “promotion” to Congress. If you haven’t already started receiving political mailings, get ready. Walkinshaw should not attempt to carry the pro-veteran banner after such an egregious denial of care for a disabled veteran. Those of us who truly served our country deserve better.
It takes a veteran to know a veteran.
I was relieved to learn that fellow veteran Stewart Whitson has stepped up to run for the 11th Congressional District to honor veterans, stand for servicemembers and their families, and be a man of his word, regardless of election cycles and political campaigns. He’s a decorated combat veteran who personally led hundreds of missions in Iraq as an Infantry Platoon Leader, including a mission that led to the successful rescue of a hostage. He’s a man who literally put his life on the line to keep Americans safe, not only in the military, but also as a federal law enforcement officer. It takes a veteran to know a veteran, and I know that Stewart Whitson will use his experience in the armed forces, not just to provide additional expertise in Congress, but also to bring firsthand understanding of the best care needed for military veterans and their families who live in the 11th Congressional District.
If you are a servicemember or a military veteran reading this, take note that James Walkinshaw might send a targeted glossy political mailer your way, saying he is ‘pro veteran,’ yet it takes a veteran to know a veteran. Stewart Whitson is your candidate to ensure your service is honored and the sacrifices you and your family have made are not in vain.
