Staunton Democrats gathered together at the public library Saturday to talk about national security and how the next president should act.

About 50 Valley residents came out to the town-hall style meeting. Among the featured speakers was retired three-star Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, who says in the last eight years, resources have been squandered.

Kennedy says, "We need a leader who really cares about people and who understands operational readiness and who will give the military missions that make sense."

Kennedy was joined by retired Marine Corps. Sgt. Major John Estrada. The pair also made stops in Roanoke, Winchester, Northern Virginia, and Virginia Beach.