Letter to The Editor from Congressional Candidate Lee Zeldin

MASTIC, NY (04/11/2008)(readMedia)-- To the Editor:

My opponent's letter published in the April 10th edition of the Village Beacon Record is a reminder of the reasons I seek this office. There are many shortcomings of his letter, but there is one facet which must receive immediate attention.

In 1968, when he graduated from Southampton High School, he had the freedom to opt out of military service. And thanks to the sacrifices of generations of American warriors, he was well within his rights to make this choice.

However, by not raising his right hand; by failing to swear to protect this country from all enemies foreign and domestic; by never putting on the uniform of our nation's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard, he also forfeited the ability to comment on how a veteran thinks or acts.

Don't ever use my service against me again, Mr. Bishop. You made a conscious choice not to serve, and you should now make the conscious choice to know your place on these matters. For you to tell me or any other military servicemember how a veteran should feel or act falls well beyond the scope of your capabilities.

That said, I look forward to engaging you in debate about the challenges currently facing Eastern Long Island.

Lee Zeldin

Long Islander, Veteran, Husband, Father, Homeowner

Candidate for Congress

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For more information on Lee’s campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress