As a veteran of World War II, I am writing this for myself, only, and not for any of the organizations of which I am a member.

I have been following the Monday Veterans columns which have appeared since this year’s election season began in earnest. I personally like the author of those articles very much and have offered to serve and work with him on matters concerning veterans affairs. However, I want to go on record that most, if not all, of his pre-election rants appear to be partisan in nature.

He does not, therefore, speak for me.

By law and by their own constitutions, veteran service organizations are precluded from indulging in partisan politics and from endorsing electoral candidates, even incumbent governors, without jeopardizing their tax exempt status. Reading Mr. Ciciotte’s columns, I can only conclude that mentioning only one gubernatorial candidate to the exclusion of all others, and that even writing of his favorite candidate in exceptionally laudatory language come perilously close to crossing the boundary.

Even the author’s admittedly unscientific ‘polls’ are simply efforts to illustrate that “the veterans” support a specific candidate.

I would like to remind the author that another candidate for the Blaine House, as ranking member and long-time member of the Congressional Committee on Veterans Affairs has done far more good for veterans than has the incumbent governor, regardless of the latter’s lip service and appearances at various veterans’ functions.

Also that the greatest vets legislation of all, the original G.I. Bill of Rights, was a product of the Democratic New Deal.

James M. Friedlander
Brunswick