Politics & Government

Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy Reminds Us That All Politics is Local

Ahead of the Presidential debate on foreign policy between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, we take a look back at stories surrounding the issues.

 

They say that all of politics is local. No matter how big of an issue, it somehow affects those who live in communities like ours. The final debate scheduled for Monday night at 9 p.m. between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney will focus on foreign policy.

The biggest foreign policy issue for the last three presidential terms has to be terrorism and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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As the candidates debate foreign policy, Patch looks back at some of the stories we covered on the local effects on the community of America's ongoing wars.

Local Vet Injured in Explosion Returns Home

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Twenty-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Cory Paradine was deployed to Afghanistan in last year. During his time there, he was injured during an IED explosion.

“You hear your son is injured, and that scares you,” said John, known by many as Big John, who has worked as a custodian for the Kings Park School District for 11 years.

Remembering Those Lost on 9/11: R. Mastrocinque Avenue

It might be easy to miss; it’s just one green sign on the corner of St. Johnsland at the north entrance of the Nissequogue River State Park.   However, unlike other 9/11 victims, the street bearing Rudy Mastrocinque’s name is not the street on which he was born nor lived, it’s the street outside of Tiffany Soccer Field.  

A befitting tribute for the former Kings Park Soccer Club President and coach, it was his love of the game and coaching that brought him to his World Trade offices of Marsh & McLennan  early on that fateful morning.

The Butler Family Remembers

A remembrance wall for Thomas Butler, a Kings Park resident who was killed in the 9/11 attacks, was unveiled last year at the Kings Park Bluff. A framed memorial flag now stands next to it, with the names of all of those killed that day on its fabric.

For the Butlers, the affects of 9/11 linger, not only in the passing of their brother, but in the physical ailments that now afflict both Thomas' father and brother Stephen, both of whom spent months at the pile in hopes of finding Thomas’ remains.

Bone Marrow Transplant Only Option For Resident Battling Cancer

Lisa Ferreyra remembers when the problem started, sitting on the couch next to her husband, John, in 2004.

“He had this crazy cough. I said, ‘We’ve got to get that checked out,’” she said.

On April 1 of that year they paused outside the doctor’s office where they had come for a diagnosis. She asked John for a moment. They kissed.

“Once we cross that threshold, our lives will be different,” Lisa remembered saying.

Family and Friends Say Goodbye to Seamus Byrne

Seamus Byrne, an Afghanistan war veteran, was killed while crossing Main Street early Sunday morning after leaving a celebration for his 33rd birthday at Napper Tandy’s in Smithtown.

Local Civics Honor Veterans

The Kings Park Civic Association and San Remo Civic Association joined forces to host an event to honor local veterans of war at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Church Street.

Kings Park and Smithtown veterans attended including representatives of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Nissequogue Post, the Kings Park American Legion Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Suffolk County Police Memorial Post. 

 

 

 

 


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