(CU?and The Inter-Mountain/Suzanne Stewart) GATHERING?SUPPORT — David Stone, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, speaks at the Randolph County Democratic Headquarters in Elkins Thursday. Stone and the West Virginia Veterans for Barack Obama launched their campaign Thursday.

There is a stark difference between the two major parties' presidential candidates when it comes to veterans, and that's why the West Virginia Veterans for Barack Obama is throwing its support to the Democratic nominee. The group — co-chaired by state Sen. Jon Blair Hunter, D-14th District — hit the campaign trail Thursday, traveling across the state and making a stop at the Democratic headquarters in Elkins. “The major thing we see is that Obama has vote for the veterans,” Hunter told the crowd. Making his case, Hunter provided statistics on how Obama and Republican nominee Sen. John McCain have voted on veteran and troop issues. According to Hunter, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have graded both candidates and gave Obama an “A” and McCain a “D.