“We need to thank all of our troops, and particularly those for whom we can never express enough gratitude for they have given their lives so that all of us may be free and that our democracy can be a shining light for the rest of the world.”

American politician

Virgil Goode is an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from Virginia’s 5th congressional district from 1997 to 2009. Born Virgil Hamlin Goode Jr., he moved from the Democratic Party to independent status in 2000, then joined the Republican Party in 2002. He is known for his long run in Congress and for the party changes that marked his career. He was narrowly defeated in 2008 by Democrat Tom Perriello, ending his time in the House after six terms.