DEMOCRAT MARY ANNE REINHART

(Mount Laurel):           Today, Burlington County Democratic Candidate for Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart reaffirmed her life-long commitment to all the men and women in uniform who have dedicated their lives to keeping our Nation, our County and our local communities safer.

“My commitment to veterans’ issues started young,” said Reinhart.  “When I graduated the 8th grade I was awarded the VFW leadership award, an honor I cherish to this day.

“I learned the careful balance between discipline, compassion and strength growing up in a military household. 

“My grandfathers both enlisted in the Army and served our country during the First World War.   My father followed in his father’s footsteps when he was drafted into the Air Force during World War II.  He then enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War serving in Okinawa.

“My uncle served in the Pacific with the Air Force during World War II, only to return home and join the reserves where he was activated during the Korean War.  One of my brothers enlisted in the Navy and served during the Bay of Pigs.  Another brother was drafted by the Army and served during the Vietnam War stationed in Alaska.

“My husband was drafted into the Army and served in Korea during the Vietnam War and my nephew Mat enlisted and served in the Navy.  Another nephew of mine enlisted and has chosen the Navy as his career.  A third nephew, Mark, has enlisted in the Army and Air Force, serving two tours in Afghanistan as a gunner on the Chinook 47. 

“Since World War I a member of my family has been serving our great Nation.  Since the beginning of this campaign I have had the pleasure of meeting with veterans from around the County, listening to their concerns.  I am deeply troubled by the fact that over 8000 veterans remain homeless in Burlington County and I look forward to working with our veteran leaders to solve this crisis.

“The rights, privileges and freedoms fought for by these men in my family, along with the generations of military men and women, are the fabric of our Country.

“I am disappointed that my opponents have tried to use lies and falsehoods to distort my family’s honor. 

“I have never voted to terminate any Shamong employee while he or she was fighting in any war.  I have never accused any member of the military of being trained to lie as such a statement would only insult my family’s decades of military service.

“In these times, as veterans are seeing their benefits cut and their brothers and sisters homeless in the streets of Burlington County, I am disappointed in the Republicans for trying to perpetrate these awful lies.  I am always open and available to any veteran and would be happy to answer any of his or her concerns.”

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