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HomeNewsFort Campbell Town Hall Meeting with Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez

Fort Campbell Town Hall Meeting with Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez

Perez pledges to fight for Troops’ Rights

Fort Campbell KY, 101st Airborne DivisionFort Campbell, KY – Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) met Assistant U.S. Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez at a special town hall meeting here May 17th, 2012.

Perez was joined by U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky David J. Hale; United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Jerry E. Martin; Karen Stevens from the policy and strategy section of the Civil Rights Division; and Chief of Employment Delora Kennebrew from the litigation section of the Civil Rights Division.

“We are doing our level best to make sure we have your backs while you have ours when you’re deployed overseas,” Perez told some 200 Screaming Eagles at the town hall style meeting. “Thank you for all that you have done, serving our nation and going overseas.”

Perez noted that the day marked the 58th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, ending legal segregation in schools, in which the 101st Airborne Division played an important role.

Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice speaks with Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell Thursday. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Davis, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs.)
Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice speaks with Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell Thursday. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Davis, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs.)

“This unit had a very important role with civil rights, making sure the Little Rock Nine were allowed entry into school, so it is fitting we are here today to take the opportunity to tell you about the work we do enhancing civil rights opportunities for service members,” Perez said.

Perez spoke about some of the unique challenges Soldiers and service members face when they are deployed, referencing legislation such as Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and encouraged soldiers to seek counsel from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.

“The legal assistance section of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is committed to assisting all soldiers, family members, and retirements with all of their legal issues,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Bovarnick, staff judge advocate for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. “In connection with AAG Perez’s visit, our team of judge advocates and paralegals has the expertise to advise and assist those who suspect their civil rights have been violated.”

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