Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
Meeting with American service members is always an honor, and this week I had the opportunity to congratulate an award-winning soldier from West Virginia. This week also brought some positive economic news, along with a new effort on Capitol Hill to support healthcare funding for seniors.
Soldier of the Year from West Virginia
Specialist Erik Nowak recently competed – and won – a nationwide competition for National Guard Soldier of the Year, and I had the privilege of meeting with Nowak in Martinsburg on Monday. To congratulate Specialist Nowak, I presented him with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol, along with congratulatory remarks that were printed in the Congressional Record.
He is currently a member of the 157th Military Police Company in Martinsburg, but will be attending officer training school at Fort Benning starting in January. He represents a great tradition of military service in West Virginia and it was an honor to meet, and thank him.
Economic News
This week also brought a bit of good economic news as we saw nearly 170,000 new jobs created around the country during the month of October. The unemployment rate also dropped last month which is a positive sign for our economy, particularly as many people continue to struggle with the housing crunch.
New Coalition to Protect Senior Care
As Co-Chair of the Long Term Care Caucus, I also had the opportunity this week to work with a new coalition of fellow lawmakers, nurses and health care providers to raise awareness for healthcare funding for seniors.
Over the next 20 years, our nation’s population of seniors will double to more than 70 million Americans. This increase will highlight the need for strong support for nursing homes in West Virginia and around the country. This is a bipartisan issue and it’s important for seniors to know that they will have access to the care that they need.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Congratulates Guard Soldier of the Year
MARTINSBURG, October 29, 2007 – Rep. Capito listens as Specialist Nowak talks about winning the National Guard Soldier of the Year Award. Capito presented Nowak with a flag that flew over the United States Capitol Building, along with a copy of remarks congratulating Nowak for his achievements which were printed in the Congressional Record.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Bunker Hill, W.Va. man is Guard Soldier of the Year
Hagerstown Herald Mail
Dave McMillion
October 30, 2007
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Out of 350,000 people serving in the National Guard, Spc. Erik Nowak was the best.
He's hauled 35 pounds of equipment on his back over 10 miles of road and was loaded down with 70 pounds of gear on another nearly six-mile hike.
The Bunker Hill, W.Va., man also had to excel in combat water survival, weapons training and complete tasks with minimal sleep.
Nowak, 27, competed in a nationwide National Guard competition earlier this year and his proficiency was enough to get him selected as the 2007 U.S. Army National Guard Soldier of the Year.
Nowak, a member of the 157th Military Police Co. in Martinsburg, was honored Monday for his performance by U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
Capito, who met up with Nowak in a military recruiting office at Martinsburg Mall, presented Nowak with a U.S. flag that was flown over the nation's capitol. Capito also gave Nowak documents showing how his performance was recorded in the Congressional record.
"This is part of our national history," Capito said.
The Soldier of the Year honor, which was given to Nowak Aug. 15, followed competitions this summer that were spread over several locations, including Fort Benning, Ga., and Oklahoma City. After being named Soldier of the Year, Nowak went on to compete in the U.S. Army's "Best Warrior" competition, although that honor went to another man.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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