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Dear Friends,

Independence Day marks arguably the most important day in our nation's history. On July 4th, 1776 the United States declared its independence from Great Britain with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This was, in effect, the birth of this great nation. It is truly a day to be celebrated.

I hope you all are able to spend the day with family and friends and to take part in some of the wonderful 4th of July festivities planned throughout the district. I ask you, however, to remember that Independence Day is more than just a day to go to parades, watch fireworks, and have cook-outs. It is a day to be thankful for our freedom and to honor this great country that is the United States of America.

God bless America!

~ Bill

4th of July

If you're going to be at July 4th festivities in Sebastian, Melbourne, St. Cloud, or Cocoa please keep your eye out for Senator Posey. The Senator will be travelling throughout District 15 trying to visit with as many constituents and take part in as many of the Independence Day festivities as possible.

In addition, campaign staff and volunteers will also be at as many events as possible. If you'd like to help the campaign by walking in a parade, or passing out water or campaign literature, please contact us at (321) 254-6282 or email ahughes@billposey.com.

Yard Signs Are In!!!

Bill Posey for Congress yard signs are finally in! If you would like to show your support for Senator Posey by placing a sign in your yard, please come by campaign headquarters to pick one up. Additionally, if you are interested in being part of our Yard Sign Team and would like to be responsible for placing 10 or more signs throughout the community, please contact Ashley Hughes at (321)254-6282 or ahughes@billposey.com.

Calling All Veterans!

Recently, a group of military veteran supporters of Bill Posey for Congress banded together to create Veterans for Posey. This group will help advise Senator Posey on issues affecting veterans and the military and will be a key component of the grassroots efforts of the campaign as well.

If you'd like to join with your fellow veterans in supporting Bill Posey for Congress, please contact Ashley Hughes at ahughes@billposey.com. Send her your name, rank, branch of service, service history, and any other information you'd like us to know. We are excited to announce that we will also be launching VeteransforPosey.com very shortly so we would also love to have photos of you in uniform to post on the site.

Veterans for Posey will be having a kick-off meeting at Posey campaign headquarters on Saturday, July 5th at 10 am. State Senator Carey Baker, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, will be calling in to offer his support and advice. We hope as many of you as possible can be there.

FLASHBACK:

The following November 2006 article from the Hometown News is representative of one of the many ways in which Senator Posey has supported our nation's military.

Law Enforcers Answer Troops' Call

By G.W. Pomichter

When United States Marine Col. Robbie DuPree of Satellite Beach was told his Marine unit would be deployed to Afghanistan for the war on terror, he wasn't surprised. Col. DuPree said this was his fourth deployment.
What he did know is that the mission had changed, and required some changes in the way his Marines thought and fought.

"In those first deployments we were out there finding and fighting terrorists ourselves. Now our mission is to work with the Afghan army to help them take control of their own country," Col. DuPree said.

Because Col. DuPree's U.S. Marine Equipment and Training Team will be more heavily focused on training Afghan troops them full-scale combat, he and his troops wanted to be able to defend themselves without relying on firearms.
To that end, Col. DuPree said his Marines needed new tools.

"We wanted to add another step in the 'escalation of force,'" he said. "I tell my Marines: 'Once you draw your firearm, you're committed to deadly force.'" We wanted to add a level before that happens."

Col. DuPree hit upon the idea of using police asps for close hand-to-hand combat. He then called state Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, to inquire whether he could help equip his men with the same retractable asps used by state and local law enforcement officers.

"When I got the call, it was immediate. I said, anything I could do to help I would," state Sen. Posey said.

Col. DuPree explained that while his troops are very well equipped, the small collapsible sticks used by law enforcement officers to subdue domestic suspects aren't a part of their issue because their normal mission is far more deadly and doesn't require them.

"These will add another level of non-lethal force for us to use before resorting to using deadly force," Col. DuPree explained.

State Sen. Posey, working with Col. DuPree's brother Matt of Melbourne, called on local police departments to find out if such things were in their surplus. Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker was the first to respond, and gave the team 10 surplus asps.

State Sen. Posey's hometown of Rockledge added four more to the collection, and the city of Cocoa Beach gave three. With his 18-man team equipped, Col. Dupree was the one without the collapsible staff weapon. But not to be outdone by their colleagues, the Cocoa Police Department donated a box of 28 asps to the cause.

"It was amazing. We called for the last one, and they told us to come and get them," said Matt DuPree. "They said they wanted to make sure there were enough."

"Yes!" an excited state Sen. Posey said. "That's what we wanted. To help these guys as much as we could."

State Sen. Posey turned over the donations at informal visit with Col. DuPree, who was home on "leave" last week before being deployed.
Col. Dupree said the donations demonstrated the support of the community for the troops.

"This is something that helps this specific mission without a huge cost to tax payers," he said. "And it is a terrific example of how committed the folks at home are to keeping us safe while we're out there."

Where You Can See Senator Posey Next:

July 4th 8:30 am
Sebastian's Freedom Festival Parade

10:00 am
Melbourne's Independence Day Celebration Parade

1:00 pm
4th of July St. Cloud Lakefront Celebration

5:00 pm
City of Cocoa's Independence Day Celebration

July 5th 10:00 am Veterans for Posey kick-off meeting
July 8th 11:30 am
National Space Club Florida Committee Luncheon

July 8th 6:30 pm "MEET THE CANDIDATES - COUNTY, STATE & FEDERAL"
First Baptist Church of Cocoa Beach

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