(Photographed above from left:  Nick D’Angelo, Founder & President of Be Heard, Anthony Melé, and Ira Geiger, Senior Network Administrator, Young Republican Network )

“Duty, Honor, Country” is the way Brigadier General Arthur Jackson closes his letter addressed “Dear Fellow Republican” dated July 2010, yet there is not one shred of duty, honor, or country comprised in the letter that falsely smears  a fellow decorated U.S. Army Veteran, Republican Anthony “Tony” Melé, candidate for U.S. Congress.

What the good general neglects to disclose in his letter distributed to Republicans residing in New York’s District 17, is his avid support for Republican York Kleinhandler for Congress, Tony Melé’s GOP primary opponent.

Indeed, Jackson wrote an ill-conceived, without merit, personal attack letter on Anthony Melé, his record and his service to America.  So in addition to Jackson’s failure to advise Republicans of a political bias towards one candidate over another, he stands on his own service to tarnish a statesman and veteran’s good reputation with weak innuendo and no proof.

And it is not just Tony Melé, Jackson looks down upon, but all non-combat U.S. military veterans who serve with distinction during what is perceived as “peace time” yet serve with the same vulnerabilities and the same honor.

Tony Melé gets smeared for saving a girl’s life.

At issue in Jackson’s letter is a valor award Tony Melé received in 1979, that Jackson says is “extremely and falsely exaggerated”. It is really a non-story that Jackson, and others behind him, resort to for nothing better, for asserting an untrue insinuation against a valor award that Melé received thirty years ago is hardly newsworthy.  It would be more telling if Kleinhandler (ahem I mean) Jackson could find one blemish on Tony’s prestigious 32 year career.  They cannot.

As a 20 year old Army Specialist, Tony Melé was issued “The Army Commendation Medal” on December 20, 1979 for:

Exceptional valor and intrepidity while saving a young woman from death by drowning in the Potomac River on the night of 6 June 1979.  Specialist Melé demonstrated alertness and quick action, without concern for his personal safety, while exposing himself to the same hazard.  Upon observing the woman fall out of the boat, he raced to the river embankment and noticed that she had submerged in the murky water.  He dove into the river and by sheer determination, located her, brought her to the surface, and with the woman on his back, climbed the retaining wall to safety.  Specialist Five Melé’s courageous Act is in keeping with the highest valued traditions of the Old Guard and reflects great credit upon himself, the United States Army, Military District of Washington, and the United States Army.  Signed by Robert Arter, Major General USA Commanding and witnessed by the Secretary of the Army.

Tony Melé responds to false accusation.

No worries – my political opponents can argue whether saving a life was an act of valor or stupidity – my reward comes from a higher authority.  I’ll focus on repealing the spending spree by this lame duck congress, keep terrorist trials out of New York, and work on being the 216th NO vote against any other government power grab detrimental to the 17th CD and American people.

Tony Melé is an internationally known and highly respected security expert.

Served a distinguished six year career with the U.S Army, achieving the rank of Noncommissioned Officer and Guidon Bearer for the elite Infantry unit, “The Old Guard”.

Obtained a B.S. in International Relations and Counter Terrorism from the State University of NY and an M.A. in Diplomacy-International Conflict Management from Norwich University, Vermont.

Honed his operational expertise with challenging US military assignments and corporate consulting contracts, providing a wide range of protection, security, procurement, and support and training services.

Has attained progressive levels of management responsibility as a corporate officer, CEO and project manager responsible for sales, services and technical teams throughout the US, Middle-East, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Nominee for the White House Fellowship program, and received special recognition awards from the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal Service and a Presidential appointment as the Selective Service local board member for the Hudson Valley, State of New York.

With a mountain of credentials to run on, Tony Melé ’s campaign is backed by a long line of Tea Party supporters, Young Republicans, and patriotic New Yorkers who see Tony as the “real deal” unafraid to challenge corrupt officials and party bosses who have lost sight of basic party principles.

When party leaders turn a blind eye to wrongdoing, these “leaders” are not leaders at all because they turn a blind eye to the people too.  Kleinhandler is such a weak Republican candidate one has to wonder whether his GOP designation is a result of a non-aggression deal with the Democrats.

If so-called party leaders would scrutinize Kleinhandler’s background as closely as they scrutinize Melé, a stark difference would be clear.  Kleinhandler is a moderate, boring, “pro-choice”, steal from Grandma Republican and Tony Melé  is a vibrant, tell it like it is, pro-life, support the people, conservative Republican.

(I have said this before, and I’ll say it again, supporting Tony Melé for U.S. Congress in this race is a cake-walk, just do it!)