Dear Classmates,R/Steve MetzAn unsung hero in the war on terrorism is being unjustly punished and you can help him. I know you remember our Naval Academy classmate, Kirk S. Lippold, who was the commander of the USS COLE, when suicide terrorists in Aden, Yemen, harbor, attacked it on October 12, 2000. Over three years ago, Kirk was selected for promotion to Captain and has patiently waited for that promotion. Through all the days following the attack and the many, many months of investigations and media coverage, Kirk has remained loyal to the Navy never once disclosing the intelligence and bureaucratic failures at command levels beyond him. While the Navy remains steadfast in their support of his promotion nomination, Senator John Warner (R-VA) has once again thwarted Kirk's promotion by blocking the nomination from being sent to the Senate and voted on by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
THIS INJUSTICE MUST STOP AND YOU CAN HELP BY SENDING A LETTER TO YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON.
Attached are several sample letters ( Senator Contact Sheet, and Senator Sample Letters A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, and a follow-up letter F1, ). If one of the letters adequately expresses your thoughts, feel free to send it to your Senators and Representative. Of course, you can always revise, add to, or delete from any of the letters to make it your own. I have also attached a KEY POINTS paper (Congress Facts), which will give you more information regarding the situation.
Also attached is a list of all the Senators from across the country. You can find your Senators mailing information there, or go to www.senate.gov. Many Senators have an e-mail link on their websites, so it may be possible to cut and paste your letter into an email. If possible, please fax your letter as it takes upwards of six weeks to get a letter sent via snail mail through security checkpoints.
Please pass this e-mail along to as many friends, associates and organizations you feel may want to help right this injustice and help get Kirk promoted. There is no room for playing politics with our military. Please take a few minutes to make this grass roots campaign work. Your letters will help show our support for someone who has faithfully served our Nation in the war on terrorism.
CDI Marine
1100 New Jersey Ave SE Suite 720
Washington DC 20003
202-488-1501