In elections past, Vets For Freedom has been a consistent advocate of veterans running for political office.  This election cycle, they have made a concerted effort to focus their vocal support on select elections around the country, and we are honored to be chosen for their endorsement.  This is a true indicator of the strength, vibrancy, and viability of our cause in North Carolina's 7th district, and confirmation that this is a race of national importance.

Pantano for Congress,

Based on a thorough review of this race, and most importantly, the background, service, and national security views of the candidate, Vets for Freedom is proud to voice support for Ilario Pantano for Congress in 2010.

Attached is our official press release announcing support.

Vets for Freedom Supports Ilario Pantano

April 26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
media@vetsforfreedom.org

(Washington DC) – Vets for Freedom, and our membership of over 100,000 strong, is proud to support Ilario Pantano, candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District. Through his uniformed service to our country, and his continued commitment to public service, Ilario demonstrates the best of America’s newest warrior class. Ilario would make an immediate impact on Capitol Hill, by adding a much-needed veterans perspective to crucial national security issues.

By supporting Ilario’s candidacy, Vets for Freedom affirms our commitment to changing the landscape of Congress, one race at a time. The number of veterans serving in Washington is at an all-time low, and adding Ilario’s experienced voice to Capitol Hill would have an immediate impact on the U.S. national security landscape.

“Ilario served our country bravely on the battlefield in Iraq during some of the fiercest fighting of the war,” said Pete Hegseth, Executive Director of Vets for Freedom and fellow Iraq war veteran. “He understands the threats we face as a nation, and what it takes to ensure our war-fighters and commanders in the field—especially in Iraq and Afghanistan—have the resources, strategy, and support they need to win. Ilario would make an outstanding Congressman and we think he has the ability to win this seat.”

Vets for Freedom (http://www.vetsforfreedom.org) is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(4) organization of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans whose mission is to advocate for success on the battlefield by educating and influencing the American public, policymakers, and the media on issues of strategy, tactics, and military leadership. We support candidates and policymakers from both sides of the aisle who stand behind our generation of warriors, and who put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain. Vets for Freedom is the largest Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans organization in America, with over 100,000 members.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Pete Hegseth—or other Iraq/Afghanistan veterans from Vets for Freedom—call (202) 338-4070 or email media@vetsforfreedom.org.

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