Greenwald focuses on services to veterans
By Lori Berglund — Daily Freeman-Journal EditorArticle Photos
Democratic candidate Becky Greenwald brought her candidacy for U.S. Congress to Webster City late last week, visiting with a small group of supporters and area residents at the Hy-Vee Deli.
Introduced by a Vietnam veteran who spoke of the often poor and disrespectful treatment returning vets received in those days, Greenwald dedicated the majority of her remarks to concerns about veterans.
As a college student, Greenwald said she herself peacefully protested against the Vietnam War, but was also disappointed by the treatment those veterans received.
But unlike most of her contemporaries, she soon learned first-hand what the veterans were going through. After graduating from Iowa State University, she became a medical case worker for the American Red Cross and was soon working in the largest U.S. Air Force hospital in the world.
The job turned out to be a life-changing experience, according to Greenwald.
"One of the issues I am most passionate about is making sure our veterans are taken care of," Greenwald said."I strongly believe that if you serve your country, your country must serve you."
She took her Republican opponent, incumbent Rep. Tom Latham, to task on support of veterans. Greenwald accused Latham of voting three times to increase his own pay, while voting against a $1,500 bonus for U.S. service members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Greenwald also spoke briefly about health care and prescription drug issues.
"It's not right," she said, that drugs manufactured in the United States can be purchased at a lower cost in Canada.
Greenwald faces an uphill battle in her campaign against Latham. One veteran in the crowd, Rep. McKinley Bailey, D-Webster City, noted that to achieve Greenwald's goal of better serving veterans the first step is to get her elected in November.
Contact Lori Berglund at editor@freemanjournal.net
