Davis Is Better Candidate

By Letters To The Editor

Published: June 16, 2008

U.S. Rep. David Davis is a strong supporter of veterans affairs and has done as much as any other congressman or more in support of our veterans. Davis is a member of the Homeland Security Committee in Congress and gets frequent Top Secret briefings about terrorism. He is well aware of dangers that we never hear about.

He began his political career in the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he served for eight years before moving on up to the congressional level of politics.

I am retired from the U.S. Army Reserve and the Tennessee National Guard with more than 21 years of service, including 18 months of active duty as an enlisted man. I retired as a colonel and served in Vietnam in 1968 as a volunteer physician to the Vietnam people from the American Medical Association as a civilian.

I first encountered Davis as a child. I was his family’s physician. Many of you do not know that Davis inherited Charcot Marie Tooth disease. This disease required Davis to undergo surgery at the Shriners Hospital.

Even with the obstacle of having this crippling disease, Davis worked his way through college on his own because his father could not help him pay for college. Davis entered into the respiratory therapy field and has done very well for himself and his family. Davis is a family-oriented person with a background of Christian beliefs and values which he exemplifies in his daily life.

Dr. Phil Roe is a good friend of mine whom I have referred patients to and he has treated some of my family as well. Roe has been a good city commissioner and mayor of Johnson City.

I have deep respect for each of these men. I am supporting Davis because I believe he is the better candidate.

Nat Ed Hyder Jr.
Johnson City, Tenn.