September 12, 2014

The Military Coalition (TMC) – an influential consortium of 33 military and veterans groups co-chaired by MOAA – presented its highest leadership awards on September 11 to Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-Vt.) and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) for their leadership in protecting the vital interests of servicemembers, retirees, veterans, their families and survivors.    

Senator Ayotte was recognized for her leadership in overturning a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) reduction to working age military retirees included in the Bi-partisan Budget Act of 2013.  Representative Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, was recognized for his strong sponsorship of key veteran bills became law, including establishing in-state tuition rates for all student veterans and greater access and accountability for veteran health care.  

The Coalition also presented its 2014 Freedom Award to Mr. Jake Cornett, legislative assistant to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mr. Brad Bowman, national security advisor to Senator Ayotte. Corner was honored for his efforts to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy for military families with special needs. Bowman was recognized for his important behind-the-scenes role in coordinating the repeal of the COLA cuts.    

Mr. John Davis, TMC Co-chair and Legislative Director of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), said, “We’re extremely gratified and proud to honor Senator Ayotte and Chairman Miller for their tremendous leadership in supporting the entire uniformed service community.”  

“The legislators are the champions,” Col. Herb Rosenbleeth, USA (Ret.), TMC President and National Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States said, “and their staffs expend huge amounts of effort in crafting legislation, working with military associations to fill in the details, and coordinating our mutual efforts to get other legislators and the public on board.”  

Col. Mike Hayden USAF (Ret.), TMC Co-Chair and Government Relations Director of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), said, “These legislators and staffers worked closely with all the members of the Coalition to help preserve needed pay and career benefits in order to recruit, retain, and sustain the all-volunteer force and provide health care access our veterans deserve.”  

TMC represents the interests of more than 5.5 million members around the world, including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and retired members and veterans of the seven uniformed services, plus their families and survivors.