I got help for Senator Cleland on Veterans issues more time than I can count. I was good friends with his staffer who died in 2006 and a great guy named Simon Gaskill.
I actually when starting my vet organization had Max on speeddial.
Simon was a founding member of United Veterans. He was also the VA Staffer for Senator Max Cleland.
I read this a bit ago and teared up. Goodbye Max. You were terrific.
A Democrat bound to a wheelchair most of his adult life, the 79-year-old Cleland was one of the first veterans from the killing grounds of Southeast Asia to enter American politics. He took a state senator’s seat in 1971, three years after his wounding, and went on to serve as top administrator in the U.S. Veterans Administration, as Georgia Secretary of State, a U.S. senator and an appointee in other federal agencies.
Cleland died at his Atlanta home from heart failure, according to a close friend and caregiver.
Former Gov. Roy Barnes called Cleland one of the most remarkable guys he had ever met.
Senator Cleland and Former President Carter were very close. I wonder how many folks know this. Senator Cleland taught me how to advocate for veterans. Everyone I knew, loved Senator Cleland.
My husband did a video featuring Senator Cleland in some of the pics with me as we worked with vets in Ga. His VA staffer Simon encouraged me to get out in front and speak up for veterans. Max encouraged me to do the same thing.
This video is not about me as much as it is about my learning from Senator Cleland and his constant support of my efforts. I am here with Sen. Cleland in my old hometown on behalf of a local candidate during Bob’s Barr’s hayday. He lost but we tried and we had to put up with old Bob awhile longer.
Goodbye Max. You taught me a lot !.