Zeldin Reaffirms Commitment to Wounded Vets

MASTIC, NY (05/12/2008)(readMedia)-- In response to a recent Department of Veterans Affairs report citing a rising numbers of wounded veterans and a potentially stifling increase in cost overruns, the endorsed Republican candidate for Long Island's First Congressional District reiterated his commitment to caring for his fellow servicemembers.

In response to the spike, Army veteran and GOP candidate for the Eastern Long Island district Lee Zeldin repeated his campaign platform of providing all the essential support to our frontline warriors on the battlefield and properly recognizing the necessary commitment when they return home.

“America has long lived up to the moral obligation to support our wounded warriors, and we must adjust to the ever-changing nature of warfare to ensure this continues,” said Zeldin. “As Congressman, I will make sure that our heroes receive the best care. I’ll provide the VA with the resources to cut wait times. Likewise, we must address future needs and work to heal both the physical and mental wounds of war. We can begin by first reducing the number of outstanding disability claims, which are at a record high.”

The VA just reported that despite a decline in the veteran population, the estimated costs of caring for veterans will increase by more than 100 percent over the course of the next 25 years. Experts cite veterans surviving worse wounds, easier access to VA claims, inflation and a more receptive approach to receiving care for mental-related illness as reasons for the increase.

“Terrific improvements in battlefield medicine have ensured that many of our warriors make it home who wouldn’t have before; however, they’re inexplicably facing longer wait times for the care they need,” said Zeldin. “We must do more to foster recovery and support those who’ve sacrificed for this nation. At the same time, we need leadership with the foresight to address this coming need before the entire system is compromised. We must never jeopardize medical care for our veterans.”

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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.

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

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress