AMVETS NATIONAL COMMANDER VISITS BERKELEY RECRUITING STATION TO HONOR MARINES FOR PROFESSIONALISM IN LIGHT OF PROTESTS

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2008—AMVETS National Commander John P. “JP” Brown III will visit the Marine Corps Officer Selection Office in Berkeley, Calif. on Monday, March 17 to thank the Marines for their service in light of recent controversy.

Brown, who is in California for a conference on veterans’ education, will make the special stop to acknowledge the Marines for their continued professionalism in the wake of Berkeley City Council’s February vote to label the Marines as “unwelcome intruders.”

“The two Marines who man the Berkeley office each day exemplify what it means to serve this great nation, standing their post regardless of the situation,” Brown said. “The city council should be ashamed for encouraging this, and we’re here to show that America’s veteran community stands with the Marine Corps.”

The Marine Corps Officer Selection Office moved into the city just over a year ago, and has faced a barrage of attacks ever since. Since the controversial February vote, the city council has stepped back from its harsh language, voicing their support for those serving in the Marine Corps and continuing to take a stance against American foreign policy. However, radical anti-war group Code Pink continues to set up camp in front of the recruiting station, trying to force the Marines to leave town.

“Code Pink doesn’t understand what it means to serve in the military,” said Brown. “The Marines have sworn to defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. As long as these men are ordered to stand their post, AMVETS will support them and this recruiting station will remain operational.”

Cmdr. Brown’s visit comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Code Pink has been conducting a week-long protest against the Marines and against the war outside of the Marine’s office in Shattuck Square. AMVETS, which has followed the story closely, supports Berkeley’s Marine Corps recruiters and their continuing mission to sustain the force.

Media Contact:
National
Communications Director
Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035
jagg@amvets.org

National
Publications Editor
Isaac Pacheco
(301)-683-4038
ipacheco@amvets.org

National
Media Specialist
Ryan Gallucci
(301)683-4073
rgallucci@amvets.org