It was a gathering of warriors from America's past and present when scores of veterans residing in the newly reconfigured Third Congressional District turned out at the Albertson Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall to meet and exchange views with candidate for US Congress Lt. Col. Stephen Labate this past Saturday morning at a “Meet the Candidate Breakfast” event.
They were joined by veterans and residents from across Long Island who primarily wanted to hear the candidates views on health care, veteran wellbeing, military funding and the protection of national interests. The gathering of mostly senior World War 2, Korean and Vietnam veterans was also an opportunity for them to welcome one of their own while voicing their concerns and frustrations with current conditions prevailing in our nation.
Labate, an Iraq war combat veteran, is still on active duty in the United States Army Reserve. He most recently served at the Pentagon for 12 months as a member of the Army's Crisis Action Team. A new voice on the political scene, he views himself as a “citizen legislator,” not a career politician.
Labate is the designated Republican Conservative nominee in November's general election.
