WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) salutes the life of former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), who passed away Sunday at the age of 76.
Isakson began his life of public service as an Air National Guardsman in his native state of Georgia from 1966 to 1972. He served as a state representative and senator before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999, and later to the U.S. Senate in 2005. Isakson was a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, becoming the committee chair in 2015. One of his lasting achievements was the passing of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 before resigning his Senate seat for health reasons later that year.
“The veteran community lost one of its champions yesterday,” said VFW National Commander Matthew “Fritz” Mihelcic. “Senator Isakson worked hard on legislation that expanded toxic exposure presumptions and ensured veterans and their families received the care and benefits they deserved. On behalf of the entire 1.5 million-member VFW family, we send our deepest condolences to Sen. Isakson’s family and friends. May he rest in eternal peace.”