INDIANAPOLIS (August 8, 2007) – A premature troop withdrawal from Iraq would be disastrous for the Iraqis and the United States, said the leading candidate for national commander of The American Legion.

After a three-day visit to Iraq, Martin F. Conatser, of Champaign Ill., had a blunt message to Congress: “The troops are doing their jobs, now do your jobs and support them. I met with General (David) Petraeus. All the troops I talked to respect and believe in him. The Senate confirmed Gen. Petraeus and now Congress must allow him to complete his mission –to build a safer, stable Iraq that will not threaten its neighbors or the United States.

“Everytime we lose a soldier there, it is tragic,” Conatser said. “But the media dwell on the negative and report very little on the considerable successes. Everything I saw points to the fact that the surge is working.”

Religious differences are a major problem in Iraq, but Conatser pointed out that it took centuries for the United States to overcome many of its religious and racial tensions. “I met an impressive Iraqi general who was Shia and commanding many Sunnis. It didn’t seem to be much of an issue to them but it just demonstrates how the terrorists are able to stir things up among the masses. The Iraqi people can succeed but we must help them stamp out the terrorists.”

Conatser, a retired sergeant major in the Illinois National Guard, said that even though he always had great respect for the U.S. military, he was still surprised at how high morale is among the troops he visited. “Naturally most would rather be home and tour extensions can be demoralizing,” he said. “But I didn’t meet anyone who said the United States should abandon the mission there. If the troops serving there don’t want to cut and run, then neither should we.”

As an Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era, Conatser said he appreciates the importance of supporting the war and the warrior. “I am proud that The American Legion passed Resolution 169, which reminds people that supporting the troops means also supporting their mission. Iraq is part of the Global War on Terrorism. I always believed that but after seeing it firsthand, I am more convinced than ever.”

With a membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.