Las Vegas, Nevada – Nevada Veterans for Edwards today announced a list of 43 members statewide including its Co-Chairs, US Navy veteran Assemblyman Joe Hogan and US Air Force veteran former state Senator Joe Neal.

The statewide group of veterans is announcing its support for John Edwards for president because Edwards will repair our country's sacred contract to honor and support our veterans and military families.

"John Edwards believes we must guarantee quality health care for every generation of veterans and this must include mental health care," Hogan said. "He will ensure our returning troops have access to education and training opportunities to help them succeed in civilian life. He will support our military families who face enormous burdens when their loved ones are serving overseas."

The group is comprised of veterans of all ranks and from every war from World War II through Iraq. It includes World War II and Korea veteran Ret. Air Force Major Ralph Levenberg, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, and Terri Truex, a US Navy Veteran who was stationed in Guam and Japan.

"We must stand by those who stand by us. When the members of our military sacrifice so much to defend our freedom and secure peace, we have a moral obligation to take care of them and their families," Edwards said. "I am proud to have the support of so many Nevada veterans who know America can and must do more for our heroes and their families."

Edwards has proposed a comprehensive plan to recognize our veterans' bravery and sacrifice, fully fund veterans' health care and give them great opportunities to succeed. Click here to see the full plan: http://johnedwards.com/issues/veterans.

"I am supporting John Edwards for president because he has been a leader on all of the issues and particularly veteran's issues," Neal said. "Sen. Edwards will close the gap between military and civilian pay and has called for a Military Families Advisory Board in the Department of Defense."

Along with strong veteran support, the Edwards campaign includes several senior level staff members who are veterans. National Campaign Manager David Bonior is a veteran who helped start the Vietnam Vets congressional caucus in 1977. He has worked intensely on veterans' care issues. Nevada State Director Bill Hyers served in the US Army from 1993-1998.

The Nevada Veterans for Edwards's announcement is the first of several upcoming endorsements for John Edwards from local constituent groups.

Attached is the list of Nevada Veterans for Edwards members:

Co-Chairs:
US Navy veteran Assemblyman Joe Hogan
US Air Force veteran former state Senator Joe Neal

Linda Barron
Fallon
Air Force 1969-1991

Charles Anderson
Henderson
Veteran

Gene Ewy
Henderson
Navy

Richard Kostoff
Henderson
Air Force

Philip Scime
Henderson
Tank Corps (Army)

Terri Truex
Henderson
Navy 1986-1991
Guam, Japan

Dudley Bradley
Las Vegas
Air Force

Prince Cobbs
Las Vegas
Marine Corps

Danny Cooley
Las Vegas
Air Force 1968-1993

Robin Cutsinger
Las Vegas
Navy
Submariner

Eian Gilbert
Las Vegas
Navy

Jim Hyder
Las Vegas
Veteran

Lee Jacobsen
Las Vegas
Navy

Homer Johnson
Las Vegas
Navy
SeaBee

Dominick Milazzo
Las Vegas
Air Force / Air National Guard

Gene Morosini
Las Vegas
Army

Aaron Oliver
Las Vegas
Nevada National Guard

John Page
Las Vegas
Air Force
B29 Tailgunner

Dennis Perea
Las Vegas
Navy

Philip Reilly
Las Vegas
Navy

Ted Carter Thornburg
Pahrump
Veteran

David Alger
Reno
Veteran

Robert Boyd
Reno
Veteran

Bob Chase
Reno
Army

Larry Coffman
Reno
Navy, Air National Guard

George Davis
Reno
Air Force/Strat. Air Com.

Sean Dieffenbach
Reno
Veteran

James Durner
Reno
Air Force

James Hanson
Reno
Army

Kenneth Harkema
Reno
Signal Corps

David Jones
Reno
Veteran

Monty Leach, Sr.
Reno
Air National Guard

Ralph Levenberg
Reno
Air Force 1940-1961
Japan (POW) Survivor - Bataan Death March

John Mayeroff
Reno
Veteran

Neil Sanders
Reno
Army

Odie Carpenter
Sparks
Army

Joe Ceccarelli
Sparks
Veteran

John Heidenreich
Sparks
Army

Sharon Jurgensen
Sparks
Veteran

Howard McMaster
Sparks
Air Force

Mike Ambrose
Sun Valley
Veteran