WASHINGTON — CUNA's 'Home for Our Troops' campaign to showcase the industry's contribution to Iraqi veterans during the political party conventions this summer picked up new steam Tuesday with separate announcements on state participation and a fundraising call by the $1.6 billion Keesler FCU greeted as "a moving tribute to help our country."

The state participation in Minnesota was highlighted by an announcement by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Repubican, he would be joining special St. Paul ceremonies April 28 jointly sponsored by CUNA, a Washington veterans group, National Journal magazine and the GOP/Democratic Party hierachy to break ground on a $150,000 home for a handicapped U.S. soldier injured in the Iraq war.

At the same time, Scotty Broome, president/CEO of Keesler, said the CUNA venture "seems very much well worth the participation of every DOD credit unions in the country." A $25,000 contribution to the campaign in March representing the largest sum by an individual CU and made quietly during the CUNA's GAC conference in Washington was being hailed by the Washington veterans group as a "truly surprising donation."