The Stakeholder
Courage
Today on Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women and their families who sacrifice in defense of our freedom.
As we pause to honor America's veterans today, please take a minute to read about some of our great Democratic Members of Congress and our newest candidates who have worn the uniform in defense of our nation:
John Boccieri was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. The grandson of coal miners, steelworkers, and carpenters, he went to college on a baseball scholarship, then joined the U.S. Air Force. He has served in the military for 14 years, including four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has represented eastern Stark County for eight years in the Ohio legislature as a State Representative and State Senator. John lives in Alliance with his wife and four children.
Congressman Boswell has spent his life serving his country and his neighbors. Whether it was during his twenty distinguished years in the United States Army, twelve years in the Iowa Senate, or during his six terms in halls of Congress, Leonard has committed himself to serving the people.
A Commander (select) in the United States Navy Reserve, Chris Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Southern Watch.
After 9/11, Chris served at the Pentagon as an intelligence analyst and senior adviser on intelligence and counterterrorism issues. Chris coordinated counterterrorism activities in the Middle East and later worked on the integration of national-level intelligence products in the effort to destroy international terrorist networks.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Massa spent a total of 24 years on active duty as a Naval Officer. He served in Desert Storm, and later as Special Assistant to General Wes Clark in Panama and then again when Clark served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces. Rep. Massa later served on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee, where he was an outspoken advocate on behalf of the troops.
On November 4, 2008, Walt Minnick made history with his upset win and was elected to represent Idaho's First Congressional District in Washington, D.C. He serves the people of Idaho as an effective, bipartisan, conservative problem-solver who pledges to always do what's "Right for Idaho." Rep. Minnick served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War before beginning his career in politics, working for the White House in the 1970s.
Bill Owens has devoted his life to creating jobs, bringing economic development to the North Country, and serving his country. As a Captain in the United States Air Force, he proudly served at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. When the base was closed he helped create the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation to ensure the land was used to create jobs, and currently there are more than 500 jobs based there as a result of his leadership.
The son of a WWII veteran, Gary Peters was 34 years old and a successful financial manager living in Oakland County when he raised his right hand and took the oath of an officer in the US Navy Reserve. Gary went on to train as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, a logistics officer, and a sharpshooter - and served part of his reserve duty in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, Gary signed back up for the Navy Reserve, and again served overseas in support of US operations. During his twelve years of service, he received numerous awards and citations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
During his military career, Patrick served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York, a prosecutor in North Carolina, and an associate professor of Constitutional Law at West Point. When September 11th happened, Murphy went into his commander’s office and volunteered to deploy. His first deployment was to Bosnia in 2002 and the second was to Baghdad, Iraq from 2003-2004. While in Baghdad, Patrick served as a Captain in the Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division, and was later awarded the Bronze Star for Service.
After returning home, Patrick won his first election and he was sworn in on January 4, 2007.
Joe Sestak was elected to Congress in 2006 to represent the 7th Congressional District where he was born and raised. During a distinguished 31-year career in the United States Navy, Joe attained the rank of 3-star Admiral and served in the White House, Pentagon, and in operational commands at sea. He is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. He attended the Naval Academy and later earned a Ph.d. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. After retiring from the Navy, Joe returned home to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Alex, and proudly represents the 7th District.
Bryan Lentz is an Iraq War Veteran, former prosecutor, and state legislator with the experienced leadership to make government work again for our families. Bryan was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania and from early in life he learned the importance of service to country and community. A graduate of Georgetown University with a law degree from Temple University, Bryan and his wife Jen are proud to call Delaware County home. In his two terms in the State Legislature, Bryan has worked tirelessly to make state government accountable and responsive to the needs of all Pennsylvanians. He will bring this same spirit of service and tough, principled leadership to Washington.
After going to Duke on an Army ROTC scholarship, Tommy Sowers began his 11 year career in the U.S. Army, commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger and Belgian Commando Schools. Tommy led a combat engineering platoon in Kosovo and represented the 1st Infantry Division in the Best Ranger Competition.
Following graduate studies at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for Missouri District 6080, Tommy attended the Special Forces Qualification Course graduating 1st in his class. At 10th Special Forces Group, Tommy led a team of Green Berets. In two deployments to Iraq, he conducted a wide range of counterinsurgency operations and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and two Bronze Stars.
As a freshman at the College of Charleston, Rob made the decision to enlist in the Marine Corps, and in January of 1995, he began basic training at Parris Island, SC. Shortly after his promotion to Sergeant, Rob was selected to become a Marine infantry officer. In his 13 years in the Marine Corps, Rob was deployed to Albania, Yugoslavia, Djibouti, Liberia, and twice to Iraq. For more information about Rob’s time in the Marines, click here.
Let's make sure to keep America's veterans in our thoughts.
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