WASHINGTON - September 24 - Fed up with the spread of misinformation and disinformation by those opposed to closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo, four of the nation's most distinguished retired military leaders are coming to Capitol Hill to "set the record straight" during an event on Tuesday, September 29.

General David M. Maddox, USA (Ret.), Lieutenant General Harry E. Soyster, USA (Ret.), Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, JAGC, USN (Ret.) and Major General William L. Nash, USA (Ret.), will join Human Rights First CEO and Executive Director Elisa Massimino for a frank discussion about the national security benefits of closing the facility and about the heated rhetoric and scare tactics that have shaped this debate in recent weeks. The group will also take questions from the audience.

General Maddox served in the U.S. Army from 1960 until 1995. He retired after serving as Commander in Chief, U.S. Army in Europe. While on active duty, General Maddox served extensively overseas with four tours in Germany during which he commanded at every level from platoon through NATO's Central Army Group, 7th U.S. Army and theater. His last six years of active duty were in Europe transitioning from the Cold War, through Desert Storm, to the total reengineering of our presence and mission in Europe. Lieutenant General Soyster served as Director, Defense Intelligence Agency during DESERT SHIELD/STORM. He also served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army, Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and in the Joint Reconnaissance Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Rear Admiral John D. Hutson served in the U. S. Navy from 1973 to 2000 and was the Navy's Judge Advocate General from 1997 to 2000.  Major General Nash served in the Army for 34 years and is a veteran of Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. He has extensive experience in peacekeeping operations, both as a military commander in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1995-1996) and as a civilian administrator for the United Nations in Kosovo (2000). 

General Maddox, Lieutenant General Soyster, Rear Admiral Hutson, and Major General Nash were among the retired military officials who stood behind President Obama on his second day in office as he signed the Executive Orders banning torture and ordering the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility by January 2010. As the four retired military leaders continue to unite their voices in support of these orders, they and more than a dozen other retired military leaders from throughout the nation are traveling to Washington, DC on September 29-30 to meet with a number of top Administration officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder.

Tuesday's Capitol Hill discussion is open to the press. Lieutenant General Soyster, Rear Admiral Hutson, Major General Nash, and Elisa Massimino are also available for interview prior to and following the event. To RSVP or to obtain more information, please contact Brenda Bowser Soder at bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org or 202-370-3323.

WHAT: "Protecting America Post-Guantanamo"

WHO: Panelists: General David M. Maddox, USA (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Harry E. Soyster, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, JAGC, USN (Ret.)

Major General William L. Nash, USA (Ret.)

Moderator: Elisa Massimino, Human Rights First CEO & Executive Director

WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center, Room SVC 210