ARLINGTON, VA. – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today announced that United States Marine Corps veteran Don Fisher and Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander Roland Day have joined the Arizona Senator’s team and will chair his 65-member Veterans Advisory Committee in Alabama.

In addition, Charles Ingram, a retired U.S. Army Major General of Troy, and Hal Pierce of Daphne, a retired Captain in the U.S. Navy, will serve as regional vice-chairs.

Fisher, who also serves on the Veterans for McCain national steering committee, has a background in building coalitions from having served as the statewide grassroots coordinator for Gov. Bob Riley’s 2006 re-election campaign and regional coordinator for his 2002 effort.

“John McCain’s military record proves he has the courage, wisdom, and judgment that are needed to serve as our nation’s Commander-In-Chief,” said Fisher.  “I’m proud to join my fellow veterans in supporting his candidacy and building a grassroots network across the state.”

VFW Commander Ronald Day, another national steering committee member, said Senator McCain’s experience and long record of service to his country make him uniquely qualified to serve as president.

“Few men have served their country as admirably or faithfully as John McCain, and his service continues to this day,” said Day.  “Veterans across the state tell me every day that they are prepared to support John McCain for president and to thank him for the sacrifices he has made for his country.”

Pierce, who served in the Navy for more than 30 years, said McCain’s continuing desire to serve America drew him to support him for president.

“From the Navy, to the U.S. House and Senate John McCain has worked for decades serving his fellow Americans,” Pierce said.  “As president, John McCain will continue his strong record of support for veterans.”

Ingram said his reasons for supporting McCain were simple.

“John McCain can be summed up in two words – American hero,” Ingram said.  “Our nation has seen few men of his caliber come along in our history and we need him leading our country at this time.”

Senator John McCain said he was proud to have the support of veterans in Alabama, and across the nation, and thanked them for their commitment and military service.

“These men and women have fought and worked to spread freedom and democracy around the world and I can never thank them enough for their service,” said Senator John McCain.  “I thank them for their support, and our campaign will be looking to them for input and guidance as we continue to build an unrivaled grassroots network in Alabama.”

ALABAMA VETERANS FOR MCCAIN

Corporal Don Fisher

Commander Roland Day

Major General Charles Ingram

Captain Hal Pierce

Staff Sergeant Dave Alvey

Chief Petty Officer Billy Atkinson

Sergeant Rep. Mike Ball

Colonel Walter Ballard

Platoon Sergeant Stanley Batemon

Colonel Ray Bean

Colonel Joe Brindelli

Staff Sergeant Norm Brooks

Petty Officer First Class Hank Bryan

Colonel Joe Cassidy

Captain K.T. Cole

Ryan Cole

Captain Bryan Coleman

Sergeant Jerry Conner

Chief Petty Officer Jack Crowley

Master Sergeant Larry Dean

Judge Advocate Wayne Dial

Colonel Harold Dobbs

Colonel Patrick Downing

Chief Master Sergeant Owen Drake

Sergeant First Class Wiley Duncan

Lieutenant Colonel Alan Enslen

Staff Sergeant Larry Fetner

Colonel Glenn Frasier

Captain Christopher Frost

Sergeant Al Gentry

Lieutenant James Goyer

Master Sergeant James Green

Command Sergeant Major Virgil Green

John Hancock

Command Sergeant Major Lester Kapelka

Tech. Sergeant Lewis Kelly

Colonel Bob Lily

Colonel Herb Lockett

Private First Class Robert Maxell

Lieutenant Jim McClendon

Colonel Rick McDow

Sergeant James McGogh

Sergeant First Class Charles Mott

James Mulkey

Major John New

General Ron Nolin

Lieutenant Kevin Patton

Petty Officer Bill Pitt

Sergeant First Class Ed Pritchard

Colonel Dave Raney

Commander Pete Riehm

Dave Riley

Chief Petty Officer Jack Roberts

Captain Shirrell Roberts

Ken Rollins

Captain Tim Russell

Petty Officer Tom Schwartz

Colonel Hobbie Sealy

Captain Edward Sledge

Lieutenant Colonel Pete Steele

Colonel Phillip Tip

Del Tull

Sergeant James Ward, Sr.

VFW Chaplin Eddie Waters

Senior Master Sergeant Travis Whaley