Lee Zeldin Secures National Endorsement from Vets for Freedom

America’s Largest Iraq, Afghanistan Vets Organization Supports One of Their Own

MASTIC, NY (04/15/2008)(readMedia)-- The nation’s largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization Saturday announced their endorsement of Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Lee Zeldin in the 2008 race to represent New York’s First Congressional District.

Zeldin, the endorsed Republican candidate for the Eastern Long Island district, received news of the endorsement during a joint appearance with Vets for Freedom executive director Pete Hegseth at a Support the Troops rally at Farmingville’s Bald Hill Amphitheater Saturday.

“As a fellow veteran of the United States Army, I am humbled to speak on behalf of Vets for Freedom and offer our strong endorsement of Lee Zeldin for United States Congress,” said Hegseth. “Lee recognizes and acknowledges the successes of our current military strategy implemented by General Petraeus, and has been a steadfast source of support of all the men and women who are fighting courageously and winning the Global War on Terror. Our country needs more people like Lee Zeldin in Congress.”

Zeldin was honored to accept the endorsement. “I am fully committed to supporting our troops and giving them all of the resources necessary to defend themselves in combat,” said Zeldin. “We must honor the sacrifices so many of our great Americans have made and ensure that their losses have not been in vain.”

Hegseth believes vets like Zeldin are primed to storm Capitol Hill, and not a moment too soon.

“As the brave men and women who wear our nation’s uniform continue to serve in harm’s way, it is important that politics end at the water’s edge, and that we have elected officials in Washington who understand and appreciate the sacrifices they make and why they make them. Lee Zeldin is a true American patriot, and I am proud to offer the support of Vets for Freedom.”

Zeldin served as an aide to State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. The Shirley resident studied at the University at Albany, graduated from Albany Law School, and earned his commission through Army ROTC. He was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. In the summer of 2006, he was a JAG attorney deployed to Iraq. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island.

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