At a recent Veterans and Military Families for Obama event, a group of veterans and their families went around the room to hear why people were there to support the president. Many cited a variety of reasons, but there was one reason that resonated greatly with U.S. Army Veteran and Fairfax County native Howard Foard: leadership.

When the time came to leave Iraq, President Obama didn’t get sucked into a debate about whether would be seen as ‘losing.’ He took a sober assessment of situation, demonstrated his frugality and appropriate use of our military forces, and withdrew our troops.

While there is still work to be done, Howard, 34, is satisfied that the U.S. is seen more as ”respected global leader” rather than a “bully.”’

According to Howard, President Obama has demonstrated his leadership in other meaningful ways as well. “He knows how to take care of our veterans and their families,” he said. Under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law by President Obama, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget saw an increase of $1.4 billion. One of the affects, as a result, was the speeding up of the VA claims process.

“I’ve personally seen my claims expedited after he put more resources and funding into the VA. His leadership has had a great impact on the lives of countless veterans,” Howard said. “As a disabled vet myself, I applaud him for his leadership in making sure hurting veterans are taken care of.“

As for families of servicemen and women, when President Obama signed the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the benefits that under the GI Bill that were previously available only veterans became available to their families as well, providing educational assistance, and increasing opportunity and access to universities and colleges across the nation.

We have a president that gets it. When President Obama signed the Post-9/11 GI Bill, he thought about military servicemen and women, their families and the sacrifices we've made to protect this country. The president has been working hard to defend the middle class, and I will do what I can to make sure he can continue fighting for us for another four years.

Asked why he got involved with Veterans and Military Families for Obama, nearly six months out until the election, Howard used this analogy:

In the military, we put a lot of intensity into planning missions, and the more preparation we made really makes an impact on the outcome. The more planning we put in now, the better positioned we will be to make sure President Obama remains in the White House.

This Thursday in Norfolk, we’re officially launching Veterans and Military Families for Obama. Show your support for the commander-in-chief and join us.

There was no shortage of groups to sign up for or ways to get involved at the Alexandria field office opening in Virginia this weekend.

A week since our rally with President Obama, this weekend our teams were fired up and ready to move this commonwealth forward. We opened two new field offices in Henrico and Alexandria, and our teams took advantage of the sunshine to register voters in their communities.

This week, the momentum continues with organization meetings across the state. Will you join us?

Last weekend, Debra and Aaron, Obama 2012 organizers in Northern Virginia, headed south for the campaign rally in Richmond—and they got to share the moment with their volunteer team:

Aaron: “All the staff from all over Virginia were there, and we helped our Alexandria volunteers organize carpools. We heard some pretty neat stories of volunteers who don’t hang out together in their regular lives, people from different backgrounds, really making connections.”

Debra: “Another group went out for barbecue in Richmond with new friends they met at the rally. I worked the general admission line, so I probably talked to almost everyone who came out. It was hot and sticky, but even while waiting in line everyone was in a good mood and jazzed up to see the President. It was nice to see so many people ready to get to work. To get pumped up, we did “the wave” in the stands with the Forward signs—ten times across the entire stadium.”

When they got back from the rally, Aaron and Debra went right back to work, because this weekend, OFA-VA is opening a brand-new office in Alexandria.

Debra: “The rally bumped up our number of recruits for the office opening. And it’s really been amazing. Everyone’s been pitching in however they can: A woman came in to paint ‘2012’ on the walls, people are making signs, and yesterday we had about 20 people in the office cleaning and decorating.”

Aaron: “When we got our keys the place was not in great shape—there were holes in the walls! I don’t know where Debra finds some of these volunteers, but for every problem we have she finds someone who is an expert in that field. The office started out pretty mediocre, but now it’s really welcoming.”

Debra: “Tomorrow when we officially open our doors, everyone who comes by will sign in and get a nametag—and we’re putting up a big calendar where they can sign up to join a team, with a map so they can see what teams are operating where. We’re also asking folks to get involved with specific groups like Women for Obama. I’m trying to start a local Families for Obama group—organizing picnics and kid-friendly activities, so families can do voter registration together. We’ve even got a Salsa for Obama night at a place that gives free salsa lessons!

“I really want everyone to feel like they own this office. I hope every person who comes in the door and lends a hand is going to want to bring their friends here to show it off.”

If you live in Northern Virginia, join team Alexandria at tomorrow’s office opening party and help move our work in Virginia forward. Not in the Commonwealth? Find an event happening near you this weekend.

Susana Raquel Berger
Hometown: Chevy Chase, MD
Organizer for Lee District and Capitán Latinos por Obama in Fairfax County
PADI certified deepwater scuba diver and tap dances

“Organizing Latinos por Obama in Arlington in 2008 will forever be a point of pride,” said Susana Berger, a field organizer in Fairfax County.

Since her time organizing in 2008, Susana had been studying abroad. When the chance to organize for President Obama arose, she couldn’t resist. She said:

“It was painful to leave the work I'd been doing in Panamá, but I would never have forgiven myself if I didn't do everything possible to get President Obama four more years to better this country. I have never seen a person better suited for the job.”

Over the years, Susana had personally benefited from the Obama presidency in “so many emotional and concrete ways.”

“In the last year I was able to get covered through my parent’s health insurance. I don't know about other 25-year-olds but that extra $1000 made my year a whole lot less stressful. I eagerly await the opportunity to see whose lives he improves with the next four years.”

Susana also feels strongly about President Obama’s stance on women’s issues, citing that his strong belief that the most qualified individuals to make informed medical decisions for women are medical professionals and women themselves.

“I feel so grateful to have a President who, regardless of personal or religious beliefs, understands the importance of that correlation and has upheld policies that will protect his own daughters and granddaughters for decades to come. President Obama is the only candidate in this election under whose leadership I trust will protect my sister, my friends.”

Today, Susana is busy hitting the streets registering voters, working with Fairfax neighborhood teams, and putting her all into making sure Virginia stays blue in November.

“Tenemos que unirnos para mostrar nuestro poder para cambiar el futuro de este país. (Translation: We must unite to show the power we have to change the future of this country.)

We couldn’t agree more. Unite with Susanna to help organize your community and move this country forward.