Veterans, beware

I am proud to have served my nation in uniform for almost 32 years, plus an additional four years as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. I would do it again in an instant, if given the opportunity.

I called the campaign office of Carl Mumpower (11th District congressional candidate) on Sept. 5 to object to his position on several veterans’ issues regarding entitlement rights. He returned my call several hours later. We briefly discussed his positions, and he told me that I was “self-serving.” I told him that the conversation was over, and I hung up the phone. I am certainly not proud of that unprofessional reaction from me, but he hit my hot button—and I am sure it would also hit the hot button of many other veterans who have proudly and honorably served this nation.

On Sept. 6, I had the opportunity to talk with Mumpower face-to-face at the Green Creek Heritage Day Festival. I apologized for my unprofessionalism in hanging up the phone. Interestingly, his campaign representative told me that I was not the first one who had hung up the phone on Carl!

I then discussed veterans’ issues further with Carl, and he once again told me that I was self-serving. I told Mr. Mumpower with that statement he had again insulted the many veterans who live in this area, and that I would write a letter to the paper saying that he thought veterans interested in entitlement matters were self-serving. He encouraged me to do it! Well, here is that letter.

I believe that Carl Mumpower is the one who is truly self-serving. After talking with him, I am convinced that he is more interested in promoting Carl Mumpower than anything else. I encourage the many veterans who have honorably served this great nation of ours not to vote for Mumpower on Nov. 4. He needs to stay at home in Asheville and not go to Washington!

—  Paul E. Sutherland
Columbus