THIRD BASILE TELEVISION AD HIGHLIGHTS IRAQ SERVICE, SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
WOODBURY, NY – Candidate for State Senate Tom Basile (R,C,I) released his third TV ad, “Service” this week highlighting how the values and leadership he demonstrated in Iraq will translate to his service in the State Senate for the people of Orange, Rockland and Ulster counties.
The ad features a first-person testimonial from Sgt. Aaron Gibson (U.S. Army Res. ’99-’07) who served alongside Basile in Baghdad in 2003-2004.
"Next to being a husband and a father, it has been the honor of my life to serve alongside our nation’s brave men and women in uniform in Iraq,” said Basile who has been endorsed by Sen. Bill Larkin, one of the nation’s last remaining WWII veterans serving in a state legislature. “I relied on their training and service to help me do my very best for the mission they sacrificed to advance every day." Basile is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines in November.
In 2003-2004, Basile spent seven months in Baghdad, Iraq, where he served at the request of the White House as a Senior Press Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority. He was awarded the Joint Civilian Service Commendation for his work with the Coalition.
“It was an honor to be called upon to serve our nation and it is an experience that will guide me to ensure our veterans and their families always receive the support they need from government. Whether it’s protecting or expanding support programs like the Senate’s Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Program, advancing the Homes for Heroes program, supporting the great work of Honor Flight, or getting veterans their VA benefits, like Bill Larkin, I will be their strongest advocate in the Senate,” said Basile.
Basile’s previous ads, "Cleaning Up,” narrated by his wife, Carrie, along with the campaign’s first television commercial, “What It Takes,” began airing several weeks ago to highlight the wide range of experience that has prepared him to serve his district.
Narrator: Al Rasheed Hotel- October 2003. Insurgents launch a deadly rocket attack. Tom Basile was in that hotel.
Sgt. Aaron Gibson: I was part of the initial Iraq invasion and I met Tom when he was in Baghdad serving as a civilian advisor to the coalition government.
Sgt. Aaron Gibson: Tom’s a good man and I’m proud to call him my friend. He served alongside us and saw first-hand what we sacrificed every day.
Sgt. Aaron Gibson: In the State Senate, I know he’ll stand up for veterans and our families. Because Tom Basile is a leader we can all count on.