Senator George Allen 2006

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I stopped by downtown Harrisonburg with friends to see Senator George Allen formally announce his campaign for re-election as a Republican Senator for the Commonwealth of Virginia. There were approximately 150-160 people in attendance and the Senator was introduced by Republican Congressmen Bob Goodlatte on the steps of the City Hall where Allen had his family and numerous elected officials standing behind him. Senator Allen spoke for approximately twenty minutes and hit on numerous topics that effect Virginia and the rest of the country.

During this time Senator Allen spoke about the strong economy both here in Virginia and across the United States and advised that the leading “Cash Crop” for Virginia is now computer related technology and this replaces Tobacco for the first time in history. He stated the importance of making President Bush’s recent tax cuts permanent to keep this outstanding economic growth going and allowing workers to keep more of what they earn.

He also stated three goals for his next term and this included securing freedom, making sure that "America remains a land of opportunity for all", and keeping traditional values as a focal point.

Another topic that is very musch in the news now is Immigration and the borders. The Senator talked about the importance of controlling the border and stated "A country that can not secure it's own borders can not control it's destiny"...

Rhonda Winfield and Senator George Allen

April 12th, 2006

I had the privlege to attend the Senator George Allen rally in Harrisonburg with several Republican friends from Augusta County including my new friend Rhonda Winfield from Stuarts Draft, VA.

Rhonda is the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Jason C. Redifer who was killed in action while serving in Iraq on January31, 2005. I have met her several times but only for short periods and never had the opportunity for an extended conversation. I have had the opportunity to hear much of her story from a mutual friend and have learned that Rhonda is a very powerful and special person when it comes to the sacrifice her Son made to our country.

At the completion of the Senators remarks I was taking photo's of the Senator when I noticed Rhonda standing in line to meet and talk with Senator Allen. Knowing that she was coming up in

line I was sure to get in a good position to get some photos for her and maybe one for the blog. I had noticed earlier that Rhonda was wearing Jason's dog-tags and I knew she had been wearing them ever since getting them returned to her with other personal effects of Jason. But when Rhonda got to meet with Senator Allen she had the dog-tags clenched in her hands. As she talked with the Senator I was able to frame some nice shots but at a distance so as not to intrude into the conversation. I could tell by the Senators face that she was telling him of Jason and his sacrifice for our country and his beliefs. I then saw Rhonda give the dog-tags to the Senator and this had a very profound affect on the Senator and his wife Susan.

Later in the day I was able to have that extended conversation with Rhonda who told me that the dog-tags were Jason's extra pair for the originals were lost when he was killed in action. She has been wearing them ever since receiving them and she did not plan on giving them to the Senator. She said that the Senators speech had a very moving affect on her and that she knew he should have the dog-tags for she knew he believed in Jason's mission and truly understood her loss.

Rhonda also told me of the numerous letters of condolences she received from many people and some from elected officials. She told me that Senator Allen's letter was different from the "form" letters she received and there was a hand written note from the Senator telling her that "Susan and I pray for you"...

She also told me that Jason and Senator Allen shared the same values and beliefs in our country and she recalls talking with Jason about the Senator that he admired. She also admires Senator Allen for she sees the same values and morals that he shares with President Bush. She knows that they hate to have to make the decision to send troops into harms way but they understand that "Freedom isn't Free"...

Rhonda then told me that she feels Senator Allen is not just doing this to get re-elected as Senator or possibly as part of a campaign to be the next President. He is doing what he believes is right for the country...

I am very glad that I was able to have that "extended" conversation with my new friend...

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"How glad are you this guy did not win?!"

This week Iran announced that they have reached the 2nd of four steps in developing the nuclear material needed to make a nuclear bomb. Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already stated that once they have these bombs they will use them against Israel...

Iran with Nuclear weapons will also threaten all of Europe and also the United States. It is known that Iran is developing these weapons and materials deep underground and the only way to eliminate these "Projects" will be with a Earth Penetrating low yield nuclear gravity bomb...

During the 2004 Presidential debates Democrat Senator John Kerry stated: "The President is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to research bunker-busting nuclear weapons... It doesn't make sense"...

How glad are you this guy didn't get elected ?.......