REP. FISHER: Manski will continue Black's support of vets

As a social worker who counsels returning veterans, I read with familiar sadness of the deaths of April, Lila, and Matthew Magdzas of Superior. Returning Iraq war veteran Matthew Magdzas and his family are all dead by his hand.

As a state legislator, I know that the trauma of the Iraq war could and should have been spared this Wisconsin guardsman and his family. Together with legislators in 12 other states, including Wisconsin's Rep. Spencer Black, I sponsored Safeguard the Guard legislation designed to protect our National Guard from unlawful overseas deployments.

Now that Black is retiring, Ben Manski, national coordinator of the Safeguard the Guard campaign, is running to fill the vacated seat. I am sad to see Black retire, but relieved to see Manski step forward.

I have worked closely with him over the last few years. I trust his instincts and his follow through. I urge Madisonians who care for veterans and military families, and who want to stop these endless wars, to elect Ben Manski as your 77th Assembly District representative.

— State Rep. Michael Fisher, Lincoln, Vt.