The current election may resemble a battlefield, but for one disabled veteran it was the influences of area politicians that saved him from battling in the war overseas and renewed his faith in the political process.
In April, The Spectrum reported that former managing editor James Raymond, a senior communication major, could be redeployed despite being considered a disabled veteran.
Raymond sustained several injuries while fighting in Afghanistan. He lost hearing completely in his left year and experienced permanent knee damage, yet was called back to active duty and scheduled to report to a New Jersey reserve unit for training in May.
Raymond's story was picked up by local and national news mediums including MSNBC, CBS Early Morning Show, the Don and Mike Radio Show and the local Buffalo and Rochester TV and radio stations and newspapers.
"I knew I couldn't fight it on my own," Raymond said. "My only option to get out of it was by reaching out to the politicians."
The public relations campaign Raymond started on his own behalf attracted national attention and caught the eye of several high-profile public figures, including Senator Hilary Clinton and Congressmen Brian Higgins. Local Congress members Thomas Reynolds and Louise Slaughter wrote letters to the Department of Defense on his behalf in order to delay his reporting date.
The political pressure for a more permanent solution mounted. Raymond was put on the Individual Ready Reserve, preventing him from deployment to active duty for a year - long enough for his contract to expire.
"I would have never thought that by reaching out to the politicians that I would have the public outcry that I did and for my story to end up where it has," Raymond said. "It is a great thing to know that your politicians are there and that you can utilize them for any travesty or injustice."
Raymond admits that his focus on life has changed because of this unique situation. He wants to pursue public relations and politics now to provide better advocacy for young veterans coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq in the future.
As Raymond was trying to win his case with the help of the media and political figures, the overwhelming stress left him with little time or energy to concentrate on schoolwork.
"My stomach was in knots. There was no way I was going to be able to focus on school when there was the possibility of me having to go back over and fight in a war," Raymond said.
According to Raymond, the UB community, including his professors and even President John B. Simpson, has been both understanding and supportive of his situation.
Raymond has worked to better the lives of his fellow veterans. Collaborating with Congressman Brian Higgins, he has helped increase the veterans' tuition assistance award for New York State from $1,500 to $4,000.
According to Raymond, although he was a Rochester resident and therefore outside Higgins' constituency, the congressman went out of his way to help.
"He was the reason why all of this started and the reason why I had this taken care of," Raymond said. "It just showed what politics can do and that a politician actually cares about people."
In a statement released by Higgins' office, the congressman conveyed his appreciation for Raymond's military service and the fact that the situation was resolved favorably.
"Specialist James Raymond served this nation with distinction and bravery as a member of the United States Army, and like many other service members, he made significant physical sacrifices as a result of his duty," Higgins said. "We were happy to be able to advocate on his behalf."
While Raymond said his No. 1 priority is to graduate from UB, he hopes to continue being an advocate for veterans and to work on legislation that will help them with issues such as education and financial opportunities, and make improvements in the Veterans Affairs Hospital.
"It has taught me how to fight through adversity and to know that there are people out there to help you no matter what [the] situation," Raymond said. "It has brought faith in politics back in my life."
