Opponents of a proposed gay marriage
ban in Minnesota on Friday released an ad featuring Republican John
Kriesel.
The Minnesota state representative and
military veteran who lost his legs in Iraq was one of only four House
Republicans who voted against putting the measure on the ballot.
The ad is the fifth to be released by
Minnesotans United for All Families.
The 30-second spot includes a portion
of Kriesel's emotional 2011 plea to colleagues.
“I joined the military because I love
this country. I went to Iraq and I was in an incident. I nearly
died. I remember laying there looking down and seeing my legs
mangled. I thought about my family,” he says.
“Corporal Andrew Wilfahrt. He gave
his life in Afghanistan, protecting our freedoms. He was gay.”
Over an image of a smiling Wilfahrt, he
adds: “I cannot look at this picture and say, 'Corporal you were
good enough to fight for your country and give your life but you were
not good enough to marry the person you love.'”
“I'm pleading with you to vote no.”
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