(VINELAND, AUGUST 1) - Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bret Schundler joined First District Assemblyman Nick Asselta Wednesday on a tour of the Vineland Veterans Home, and pledged his full support for three Veterans initiatives endorsed by the Southern New Jersey Veterans Advisory Council.

“The men and women who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for this nation deserve not just our respect, but our full support in their times of need,” Schundler said. “We have an obligation to demonstrate our support for these brave men and women, not only with monuments, but with concrete programs that can have a direct, positive impact on their lives.”

Schundler announced his support for a Veterans’ agenda that includes bringing a Veterans Hospital to South Jersey, expanding the Vineland Veterans Home, and passage of (A-3755), a bill which equalizes Veterans benefits for conflict and non-conflict Veterans.

“Almost all of us have family or friends who have served in the armed forces, and I think all of us feel we have an obligation to be there for those who sacrificed so much in defense of our freedom,” Schundler said. “As Governor I will work to bring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to New Jersey so that we can show him first-hand the needs of our Veterans community.”

Asselta, who sponsored the “Vet is a Vet” bill, (A-3755), is the Vice Chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He has also led the fight to bring a medical/surgical Veterans Hospital to South Jersey.

“As a state, we should be committed to giving our Veterans the care they need,” Asselta said. “These three initiatives are focused on finding a solution to the problems many of our Veterans encounter. I am proud to stand here with Bret Schundler, who I know is committed to fighting for these proposals as Governor.”

Schundler’s visit to the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home comes one day after he and State Sen. Diane Allen visited the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown.