Newsletter

October 6, 2025

Our Strategic Goals

★  Support Veterans and their Families

★  Defend our Constitution as Written and Amended

★  Protect the Nation at Home and Abroad 

Attention: Check Out AVV's Website and Join Us Here!

Bob Wood

CEO, American Veterans Vote

LTG (R), US Army

As we consider this vote, the question is not who is spending the most money, who has the slickest presence in Social Media, or who has the most persistent or hostile supporters online. Again, the question must be - Which leader can do the work, represent our interests, stay true to their word, protect our community, and knit us together for the common good? Don’t be distracted, deceived, or dissuaded. Every Veteran, Every Vote, Every Election for our future.


This future can go one of two ways. Virginia’s future can revert to a dismal, single party state like California with its clear moral drift, government incompetence, and economic decline or it can be a future advancing through the wreckage of past Democratic failures to a bright future of economic growth, safe communities, quality education for all, and expanding business opportunities.  

The remarkable Victory of the Youngkin team in 2021 and its manifest gains for Virginia will be quickly reversed with the loss of key State executives – the only barrier preventing small Democratic majorities in the General Assembly from forwarding already prepared bills and constitutional amendments to produce a radical liberal makeover of the Commonwealth in short order. 

The whole Republican executive slate – Governor, Lt Governor, and Attorney General must be supported. And, of course, increased Republican allies in the General Assembly are needed to deliver legislation for all Virginians. But it is Winsome Sears as the next Governor who would set the pace, stand in the gap, and hold the veto power over any onslaught of radical liberal legislation. Equally important, she would exercise executive authority over a state poised to continue the advance back to common sense started by Governor Youngkin. 

In fact, it’s this executive ability that matters most when choosing the next Governor to do the work, represent our interests, stay true to their word, protect our community, and knit us together for the common good. Winsome Sears’ ability to lead as the state’s chief executive comes from a lifetime of experience – immigrant, Marine, electrician, small business owner, educator, legislator, Lieutenant Governor – all in Virginia! Her experience and demonstrated actions have built her ability to empathize, motivate, innovate, manage and lead – in other words be that effective executive who passes the test and earns our vote.  

Her opponent, Abby Spanberger, suffers by comparison. Her experience rises to the level of barely adequate when it comes to real executive expertise. There is every reason for her to be proud of her government service but there is little demonstrated experience in building or running an enterprise. She hides behind the well-funded shield of an ever smaller but louder set of supporters who use extreme labels and nonsense policies to capture media attention and cling to power and relevance in Virginia. She’s not a moderate in any demonstrated way regardless of her contrived public statements. Her voting record and allegiance to failed Democratic policies and leaders is clear. And she revealed her true self and heart on the campaign trail as she chanted, “Let your rage fuel you” to her supporters. Rage is simply the wrong message in these divided times. It will not help to knit us together for the common good.

Time is short now that early voting has started. The good news is Republican voters are well ahead in early voting. We must run through the tape on November 4. 

EVERY VETERAN, EVERY VOTE, EVERY ELECTION.

VETERANS FORWARD.

Bob Wood

LTG (R), US Army

CEO, American Veterans Vote

Please donate to AVV at our website

Inspiration Corner

“We hold these truths to be self evident”

Michael B. (Yama) Hoyes

COL (R), USAF

Let’s examine our Declaration of Independence’s preamble: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
 

“Truth"…our Founders didn’t write “we hold these concepts,” or “we hold these ideas,” they wrote, “we hold these truths. What we think are facts can change…but truth does not. The world believed the "fact" that the world was flat…but then we discovered the earth's placement in the solar system and universe. The atom was once thought to be (as fact) the smallest, indivisible unit of matter…but then we discovered protons, neutrons, electrons…and then quarks, which we now believe are the building blocks of protons and neutrons…who knows? Perhaps that fact will also change…

So, what is the origin of truth? John 14:6 Jesus answered questions from His disciples, saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Unless you believe him to be a liar and therefore not believable, Jesus said that He was/is “the truth.”

Life: Gen 1:27 God created mankind in His own image…male and female He created them. No explanation should be required.

Liberty: Gen 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” The man (and woman) was free to choose (liberty) and was told in advance of the consequences of each choice.

Regarding Happiness? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Phillipians tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). Rejoicing is even more intense than happiness, because it is an outward expression of joy and celebration.

When we raised our hands to serve our nation, many of us conclude the oath in the same manner as George Washington is purported to have done when he assumed the Presidency…"so help me God." From our Declaration to the First Inaugural and hence we have understood as a nation self-evident TRUTHS that come from an Almighty God. Even on our money for the past 160 years we claim, "In God we trust."

Whether we have thought about them or not, these are the values we as veterans served for…some died for…many would have liked to be in our shoes today, having the opportunity to freely vote. Let us do our duty once again…VOTE and URGE other veterans here in Virginia to VOTE!

EVERY VETERAN---EVERY VOTE---EVERY ELECTION

A Veteran's Perspective

A Fall Classic?

Cmdr (R) Bruce Johnson

USN

With the calendar turned to October, for many of us this signals playoff baseball and the World Series. Importantly, we Veterans are in the On-Deck Circle as we lead the charge to Election Day.

Why are Veterans on On-Deck? The answer is pretty straightforward. Politics and preparations for elections are now 24/7/365 with no break for politicians, voters and anyone with a TV, or on Social Media. Like baseball, where 3rd base is known as the “Hot Corner”, veteran voters are firmly in the hot corner for our statewide races,100 House of Delegates races, as well as key local races affecting our communities.

So why are we Veterans, families and Veterans Supporters in the “Hot Corner”? 

The answer is simple and straightforward. In Early Voting, or on Election Day, there are candidates and issues that directly impact Veterans and those connected to us. What places Veterans in the Hot Corner is election turnout. In the 30 years I have lived in the Commonwealth, simple and non-scientific observations tell me that many elections are decided by very narrow margins. In Hampton Roads, years ago there was an election that was tied after all ballots were counted. Tied!! Many of us remember the issue was ultimately decided in accordance with state law. The two candidates names were placed in 35mm film canisters, and a canister was selected. The name contained in that canister was duly elected and went on to serve.

What is the connection for Veterans? Led by our superb Data Lead, Dr. Arch Turner (United States Naval Academy/USN Retired), we have solid evidence that we Veterans tend to vote at a higher percentage rate than our non-veteran counterparts. Still, there are Veterans Votes not cast. In races that are sometimes decided by 100 votes or less, the Veteran Vote has tremendous impact. If we all step up and vote, I’m confident that we won’t need film canisters and recounts.

 That’s why we Veterans, our families and supporters must turn out and vote. We dedicated a portion of our lives to serving our great nation. Though we may no longer wear the cloth of our Nation, our commitment to serving our nation is just as important as it was when we were in uniform.

 At American Veterans Vote, we frequently repeat the mantra “Every Veteran…Every Vote…Every Election”. That’s one of the important ways we continue to serve. Committed to letting our voices be heard. Continuing to support Governor Youngkin’s slogan characterizing Virginia as a great place to live, work and raise a family.

 So yes, we’re all in the on-deck circle. If you haven’t already voted, the only way you get to the plate and take a swing is to step up…dig in…take a swing and vote!

PLAY BALL!

American Veterans Vote, Inc. (AVV) is a volunteer team of Veterans and Veteran supporters. We are a 527 Political Action Committee with a nationally-focused mission to promote the political power of Veterans and Veteran supporters in support of our three strategic goals:

• Support of Veterans and their Families
• Defend our Constitution as Written and Amended
• Protect the Nation at Home and Abroad

AVV’s goal is to help Veterans maximize their political voice by supporting Veterans’ ability to Vote, Volunteer and Lead.

"Every Veteran, Every Vote."

We don't speak FOR Veterans... we speak AS Veterans.

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