Veterans just lost their best friend in Harrisburg

Pennsylvania veterans and first responders just lost their best friend in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Longtime Delco state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160 of Upper Chichester, announced he will not seek re-election and will instead retire at the end of his current term, which runs through 2020.

Barrar didn't take the normal route to Harrisburg. He was a small businessman, then an Upper Chi commissioner, before he ran for state office. That was 24 years - and 12 elections - ago.

In those two dozen decades, Barrar became one of the leading voices for the rights of veterans, and battled to increase funding for first responders and emergency services.

Barrar, who is 65, said it is time to focus on his family - including his grandchildren - and attend to some nagging health issues.

You can get all the details on Barrar's decision here.

"My dream is to do some sailing and spend a lot more time with my grandchildren and my sailboat," Barrar said, noting he would like to sail to the Florida Keys and the Caribbean. "Life is short and we have to take advantage of the days that are given to us," Barrar said.

I know the feeling, representative. I know the feeling.

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