Veterans attend Ortiz meeting in support of candidacy

STAFFORD — About 45 people crowded the Community Courthouse Center on Sept. 24 to show their support for Paul Ortiz.

The 30-year U.S. Marine Corps Veteran is running as an Independent for the Aquia District Supervisor seat against incumbent Paul Milde.

Ortiz was surrounded by an audience that consisted mainly of his comrades in arms.

But the veterans there to help form “Veterans for Ortiz” spanned four wars, from World War II, to Korea, to Vietnam and Iraq.

Iraq veteran and retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Jeff Speights introduced retired Col. R. Paul Ortiz. Although he was surrounded by current and former members of the Armed Services, two special honored guests sat to Ortiz’s right at the front of the hall.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Elmer Jones served as a maintenance officer with the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII.

The segregated unit was composed entirely of black military airman. They received accolades for their performance in protecting bomber squadrons for damaging or destroying more than 400 aircraft.

Jones and other surviving Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service in 2007.

The former airman said he was proud to have served with the unit and said there was a benefit to being segregated.

“Because we were an all black unit, we were able to show our commanders what we could accomplish,” he said.

The 91-year-old believes if the black men had been sprinkled throughout the other units, their accomplishments may have gone unnoticed.

In 1948 President Harry S. Truman used executive orders to begin the process of desegregating the Armed Forces.

Retired U.S. Marine Cpl. Jack Colby also spoke at the gathering. He served in the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific during WWII and saw combat in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.

He lauded the many service personnel with whom he served, but paid special tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers. The Native Americans served in the Pacific Theater in all six Marine Divisions from 1942 to 1945.

The Navajo Code Talkers have been credited with saving numerous lives, as they were able to send classified information faster than Morse code.

It is widely believed that had it not been for the code talker system, the Marines may never have taken Iwo Jima.

Korean War Veteran and retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Frank Farkas was scheduled to speak but was unable to attend. The Marine fought in the 17-day battle at the Chosin Reservoir.

Ortiz lauded the three and others in the audience and asked for their continued support in his campaign recognizing that the election may be a David versus Goliath battle.

He described his platform that is based on his military background of integrity and leadership and told the crowd that “Sometimes you have to take bold action and some may not agree with you.”

“Once a decision is made, whether you voted for it or not, you support it,” said Ortiz.

The candidate acknowledged three current supervisors that are also veterans, Falmouth District Supervisor and board chair George Schwartz; vice chair and George Washington District Supervisor Harry Crisp II; and Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor Bob Woodson.

Details on Ortiz’s campaign and joining Veterans for Ortiz can be found on his Web site at paulortiz.org.

Marty van Duyne is a contributing writer for the Stafford County Sun.