Romney taps Bush 41, Dole to head military vets coalition

— -- Mitt Romney tapped former President George H.W. Bush and former Sen. Bob Dole as honorary co-chairmen of a military veterans coalition backing his bid for president.

The coalition, called Veterans and Military Families for Romney, is a who's who of prominent Republican vets.

In addition to Bush and Dole, the committee's national chairs include Arizona Sen. John McCain, Romney's former 2008 rival, as well as Jim Nicholson, Anthony Principi and James Peake—all of whom served terms as secretary of Veterans Affairs under former President George W. Bush.

"It is a true honor to have such strong support among our nation's veterans and military families," Romney said in a statement announcing the group. "Veterans and their families sacrifice so much for our country; it is important that we recognize and honor the work that they do to keep us safe and free. As president, I will be an advocate for veterans and their families and will always fight to ensure that they get the opportunities and care they have earned."

The coalition comes as Romney aims to beef up support among veterans and members of the military ahead of November's election—in spite of the fact that he never served.

Romney has repeatedly warned of a "weakened" military if President Barack Obama wins a second term in office—a charge Obama's re-election campaign has rejected.