Al Weed - A Democrat for Virginia

Good afternoon, my name is Douglass Randolph and I served 26 years as a Sergeant Major in the United States Army. Four of my five brothers served. My daughter, and five of my stepsons have served, two of whom retired from active duty last year. I believe in the strength and pride of our military, and I am angry at how it’s being used today. Republicans say they are strong on security, but I’m standing with a lot of Democrats today who have proudly worn the uniform of the United States Military. Has Virgil Goode served? Has George Bush served? Have Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, or George Allen served?

Command Sergeant Major Al Weed comes from a family of military service. His father served in World Wars I and II, and is son, Al Weed III, has returned to Iraq.

I want to talk about Al’s son, whom Al calls Tres, for a moment. Tres grew up on his father’s farm playing soldier. As valedictorian of his high school class he had many options open to him. He chose to follow his grandfather’s military footsteps and entered the 82nd airborne for two years. He then entered The University of Virginia, entered a reserve unit, and today is an Army surgeon. He was recently featured on Baghdad ER, an HBO documentary about the US military hospital in Baghdad. That documentary showed, without apology, the reality of Iraq. Tres returned from his tour and his second child, Al’s second grandchild, was born. With his daughter less than a month old Tres is now back in Iraq serving his country. His dedication and commitment to our country and our military exemplifies the family he comes from. The spirit of America is strong in the Weed family.

Al enlisted in Army Special Forces in 1962 and served tours in Panama and Vietnam as a Special Forces medical sergeant. In 1996 Al was recalled to 10 months of active duty as the Command Sergeant Major for Special Operations Command, Europe during the initial Bosnia deployment. Following this deployment, he served another five years before he reached the mandatory retirement age. He served for 42 years.

Al's many decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, our nation's second highest peacetime award; the Legion of Merit, the Army's second highest peacetime award; a Bronze Star for meritorious service in Viet Nam, and the Combat Medical Badge.

Al held the rank of Command Sergeant Major for over twenty years when he retired. As a Sergeant Major myself I understand the important role of this rank. In short, we take care of the soldiers. We make sure everyone is provided for, moral is high, and no one is neglected. We need a Command Sergeant Major in Congress to ensure the Veterans Administration and our Government take care of our veterans, especially the youngest returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al understands their service and the sacrifice made by their families. He understands the issues they are facing – and will face – because he is living them as well.

His dedication to our nation’s armed forces is admirable. His commitment to the principles of America is unquestioned and clear. I am proud to call him a friend and am happy to introduce Command Sergeant Major Al Weed.