The man introducing Rep. John Murtha, U.S. House candidate Peter Welch and Sen. Patrick Leahy at Tuesday’s Democratic rally in Burlington was Gavin Wright of Essex.

Wright’s son, Matthew, is serving in Iraq with the Vermont National Guard as we speak. Dad said his son asked him via e-mail to go to the rally. The night before he was deployed Matthew Wright stopped by the Welch for Congress office in Burlington with a campaign donation, Welch said.

Gavin Wright said his 30-year-old son is a soldier, but he opposes the war in Iraq. So does Dad. Dad secured a Welch campaign poster, signed by Murtha, Welch and Leahy for his son.

— Terri Hallenbeck