Veteran supports Mahoney
As an officer in the Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, I am writing this letter offering my full support to Tim Mahoney as he seeks the office of State Representative for the 51st District. The events of Sept. 11 and its aftermath have greatly challenged our great nation. These attacks on our shores have tested our faith, our patriotism and, yes, even our trust and belief in those charged to represent us. As a veteran I know firsthand the importance of trust and belief following Sept. 11. My unit was one of the first National Guard units called to active duty and sent immediately over to confront our enemies in Central Asia. In war, soldiers must have complete trust in themselves, as well as those who represent and protect their families at home.
With so many men and women from throughout Pennsylvania actively serving in the active, Reserve and Guard forces overseas, it is critical that we elect leaders who we can trust to look after our families and the interests of veterans. Mahoney is one of those men with the leadership we can trust in. He is a man that I have known over 30 years. During this time I have seen him help countless people simply based on the fact that they deeded help. Mahoney is a man of honor and truth, and when he speaks he speaks the truth.
There will be other candidates in the race, including some who have courted veterans for their own political gain. I know most of those other candidates and the truth of the matter is the only reason that they have done so is for their own personal political gains. You don’t have to look far to see this. Just look at the mess at the County Veterans Affairs Office. The staff is overworked and underpaid, and for the most part not much attention is paid to the office except by the veterans who are helped there.
Mahoney cares about veterans and their issues. Tim has assured me that he would like to have the state do more for those veterans that have served this country.
I hope you can see why I offer my full support to Tim Mahoney and I encourage other veterans to do so as well. He is a true man of honor and integrity and he will do his job not for political gain but for the people of the 51st District.
Capt. Mark C. Cockfield
Uniontown