Butterfield Praises the End of the War in Iraq and Announces Press Call Tomorrow with Military Spouse of the Year Crystal Cavalier

Press Release

Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today joined President Obama and his congressional colleagues in recognizing the service of more than one million troops who served in Iraq and saluting the end of the war. Butterfield and Military Spouse Magazine's 2011 Army Spouse of the Year Crystal Cavalier will hold a press call on Thursday, December 15, at 11:00 a.m. to describe how the end of the war in Iraq will affect African American veterans and military families. Mrs. Cavalier will provide her perspective on the end of the war, address the challenges ahead for service men and women, and share her feelings on this significant milestone.

Butterfield will discuss President Obama's leadership in bringing the war in Iraq to a close, and outline what the President and Democratic leaders are doing to ensure veterans have the jobs, health care and opportunities they deserve.

"Under the leadership of President Obama, the war in Iraq has come to a close, with all U.S. troops being brought home from Iraq by the end of this year," said Butterfield. "While the complete withdrawal from Iraq is a significant milestone for America, we must not forget the nearly 4,500 troops, 111 from North Carolina, who perished in combat and the 32,000 troops, 828 also from my home state, who are now disabled. We honor their sacrifice by caring for their comrades and ensuring they receive the opportunities they have not only earned, but deserve."

During the war in Iraq, a total 434 African American troops were killed and 2,725 African American troops were disabled.

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