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From the diaries -- kos)
Before I begin this post, I'd like to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all the men and women who've worn the uniform. I am in awe of your courage and fortitude.
Now I'd like to take a moment to introduce everyone to the entire contingent of Democratic veterans who are running for the US House of Representatives in 2006. These men have answered the call to service in more ways than one, and each and every one of them deserves our support in their fight to take back Congress.
This list comes courtesy of John Lapp and the DCCC. If there is a veteran running who is not listed, please let me know so I can add them to this post. I'd also like to say thank you to the D-trip for supporting these candidates.
Ladies and gents, here they are, your Fighting Democrats:
Chris Carney, PA-10: A Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, Chris has received several medals honoring his service in multiple tours overseas. He was activated for operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. From late 2003 to August 2004, Chris served as the Special Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, focusing on the integration of intelligence in the effort to destroy international terrorist networks. In the last year, Chris served as a Special Consultant on Terrorism and Intelligence Issues to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
bio :: issues :: donate
David Harris, TX-06: Harris enlisted in the Army in 1992 and served in the infantry, receiving his commission as an Infantry Officer after attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA in 1994. He was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to Iraq in February, 2003, spending the next 14 months there as a Logistics Officer where he received a Bronze Star. He is now an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Training Officer for the Department of Military Science at the University of Texas at Arlington, and is taking on "Smoky" Joe Barton.
bio :: issues :: donate
Patrick Murphy, PA-08: Murphy is a young attorney who served in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star in February 2004. In Iraq, Captain Murphy advised on offensive operations, initiated reconstruction efforts within the justice system, trained the new Iraqi Civil Defense Corps on the rules of engagement and was instrumental in the prosecution of Sheik Moyad, a radical lieutenant of Muqtada Sadr. At a time when even journalists are having trouble getting the real facts about the war in Iraq, Murphy's knowledge is invaluable.
bio :: issues :: donate
Eric Massa, NY-29: After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, Massa was commissioned as a Naval Officer and went on to spend a total of 24 years on active duty. He served in Desert Storm, and later as Special Assistant to General Wes Clark, in Panama and then when he became Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces. Massa left a position on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee, where he spoke his mind on behalf of the troops, to join the presidential campaign of his former boss Wesley Clark.
bio :: issues :: donate
Andrew Duck, MD-06: Duck's distinguished military career has found him as a Platoon Leader of the Joint STARS Platoon in Bosnia, Chief of a Counter-Intelligence Operations Cell, a Commander, and later an Intelligence Liaison Officer and Intelligence Staff Officer in Iraq. Duck is a native of Maryland, one of seventeen children, and has ample business and community experience supplementing his military background.
bio :: issues :: donate
Bryan Lentz, PA-07: In Iraq, Lentz commanded a civil affairs unit responsible for reconstruction in Mosul, following unique and extensive experience in international reconstruction projects with MFO and NATO peacekeeping missions in the Sinai Peninsula and Bosnia. A decorated veteran, he has received the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Bronze Star amongst other commendations.
bio :: issues :: donate
Steve Filson, CA-11: Steve Filson joined the Navy in 1970 and became an Aircraft Carrier Jet pilot. He served his country faithfully and diligently for more than 20 years before retiring from the Navy in 1994. During his service, Filson served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Hancock and USS Ranger, and then continued his military career in the Naval Reserves at Alameda, California.
bio :: issues :: donate
Tim Walz, MN-01: Command Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in the spring of 2005 after 24 years in the Army National Guard. After he was named the Outstanding Young Nebraskan by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce for his service in the education, military, and small business communities, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
bio :: issues :: donate
Jay Fawcett, CO-5: At seventeen, Jay joined the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs as a Cadet with the class of 1977. Upon graduation he went to Navigator training and was selected as a Weapon Systems Officer in the F4 Phantom, serving in fighter squadrons in Korea and Spain. He became Air Liaison Officer for the First Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, and was deployed into military action in the first Gulf War. Major Fawcett was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions in Desert Shield and the initial helicopter assault into Iraq during Desert Storm.
bio :: issues :: donate
Joe Sulzer, OH-18: Joe Sulzer is an Army veteran who volunteered to serve during the Vietnam War from August 1967 to August 1968. He was in Saigon during the Tet Offensive. He has since come back to serve on the city council and later as mayor in Chillicothe, Ohio, as well as a serving as a state representative. He is now taking on the scandal-plagued Republican Bob Ney in his heavily Republican district.
note: site is under construction :: bio :: donate
Tim Dunn, NC-08: Colonel Tim Dunn has served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves since 1994. He recently returned from Iraq and his posting with the Regime Crimes Liaison Office, where he helped build the case against Saddam Hussein. In 1995, Dunn established his own law firm, which concentrates in criminal and military law. The mission in Iraq will need expertise and experience to see it through to the best possible conclusion, and Tim Dunn can bring a strong dose of both to the "People's House."
site is currently under construction, however, you can still donate
Mike Weaver, KY-02. Growing up on values he has summed up as "Family, Faith, and Farm Work," Weaver joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served on a Destroyer Escort for three and a half years as an electronics technician. After marrying his wife, he spent four years in the Army, including a tour in Korea. Weaver has already given Kentucky much to be proud of, but as a Member of Congress would give even more.
bio :: issues
On this Veteran's Day, let's support our troops by sending them to Congress. I urge everyone to support all of our Fighting Dems, mainly because you know that once they get elected, our Fighting Dems will do everything within their power to make sure their fellow troops are taken care of.
note: images shamelessly stolen from the candidates' websites. if anyone of the candidates wants them removed from this post, just drop a comment in the thread. also, i could not locate pictures for Andrew Duck, which is why there's no picture next to his entry. images hosted by imageshack.
update: Alex tells me that there are some other Democrats who didn't make the DTrip list. They are:
David Ashe, VA-02. When the September 11th attacks occurred, David was visiting his family in Virginia Beach. 48 hours after the attacks, David rented a car and made his way to Manhattan. He entered the perimeter with a group of police officers and spent several days at GroundZero searching for survivors with the rest of the "bucket brigades." Two weeks later, David was recalled to active duty. Upon return to active duty, David was assigned as deputy legal counsel to the commanding general of all west coast Marine forces with geographic responsibility for the Middle East. For most of 2002, David was part of Operation Enduring Freedom deployed to Kuwait as sole-legal counsel to the commanding general of a special-purpose coalition task force, working with Czechs, Germans and Kuwaitis. [...] In March 2003, David was deployed again. Within a few weeks, he was attached to an infantry battalion assigned to the Al Muthanna region of Iraq. David was the sole coalition legal representative assigned to restore the judicial system in an area which covered approximately 1/9 of Iraq.
bio :: issues :: donate
Terry Stulce, TN-03. Terry Stulce is a life-long resident of Ooltewah and can trace his ancestry back 5 generations in Hamilton County. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from U.T.K. in 1967 and earned a Master of Science in Social Work in 1974. He served two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, one as a Combat Platoon Leader in the 101st Airborne Division (December, 1967 to September, 1968) and one as a Senior Advisor to the 69th and 79th Border Ranger Battalions (November, 1970 to November 1971). In addition to the Combat Infantryman's Badge, he earned the Bronze Star with "V" device for Valor and the Bronze star for Meritorious Services in Ground Combat.
site is under construction, but check out the bio anyway.
Jeff Latas, AZ-08
. Jeff Latas arrived in Arizona in 1978 to attend first Pima College and then the University of Arizona, where he graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After a career as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, and after earning a Master's degree in Public Administration, Jeff chose to settle in his beloved southern Arizona for good. A lifelong environmentalist and patriot, Jeff is ready to serve southeastern Arizonans as their representative in Congress.
bio :: issues :: donate
John Graham, CA-48. During 1970-74 Graham served as an officer in U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team Eleven in Coronado, CA and the Philippines. From 1974-79 he served in the U.S. Navy Reserves with UDT/Seal Team 119, also based in Coronado. He is currently a Professor at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).
bio :: issues :: donate
John Laesch, IL-14
. Driven by his desire to serve his country, John enlisted in the United States Navy in 1995. In 1996, Laesch graduated at the top of his class as an Intelligence Analyst for the United States Navy and was transferred to the Middle East for the next three years. While stationed in Bahrain, Laesch analyzed terrorist organizations and foreign political and military structures. Before being medically evacuated from the Middle East and honorably discharged, John meritoriously rose 5 ranks within 3 short years. He received numerous citations for his outstanding service to our nation. Following his service in the Navy, Mr. Laesch attended Illinois State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in History and minors in Political Science and Communications.
bio :: issues :: donate
Pete Duffy, NH-01. Pete Duffy is a citizen-soldier, community activist, small businessman and a father. His commitment to country is exemplified by his more than 30 years of military experience as a Judge Advocate General officer in the active Army, the Army Reserves and the New Hampshire National Guard—where he recently retired with the rank of Colonel.
bio :: issues :: donate
Tom Kovach, PA-18. Tom is "proud to be one of the millions of Americans who has served this country and its defense. I enlisted in the Navy and was trained as a nuclear machinest mate. Most of my career was spent on USS Nimitz minding the tea kettle. That experience, training, and confidence led me to become a fighting Democrat in Pennsylvania's 18th District as I will take that seat away from the do-nothing, rubber stamp of Tim Murphy next November."
bio :: issues :: donate
Jim Brandt, CA-46. Jim served as a Naval aviator in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. As an officer (rank of captain), he was responsible for both aircraft and personnel under the most stressful of circumstances. The competition to become a Naval aviator is intense; only the best are awarded wings. His experience in the Marine Corps gave him a global vision with a lasting appreciation for the importance of making the right decisions and understanding diplomacy.
bio :: issues :: donate
Ted Ankrum, TX-10. From his website: "I was Special Assistant to the only Astronaut to ever be Head of NASA; Deputy Chief of Facilities Engineering and Chief of Environmental Compliance at NASA; a Diplomat in Australia; and held other Senior Executive positions at EPA, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I went from Seaman Recruit to Navy Captain in 15 years of active duty and 15 years of Reserve service. I served four tours in Vietnam, where I was wounded and received medals for valor. I have a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering from a Navy scholarship to the U. of Colorado and an MBA from the GI Bill at Loyola. My wife, Ann, and I live in Cypress, Harris County; and two of our four children also live in Congressional District Ten."
bio & issues :: contribute
Charles Brown, CA-04. From his website: "Born in Iowa, I grew up in small farm towns, doing farm work and absorbing strong mid-Western values. I received a Congressional Appointment to the U. S. Air Force Academy and graduated in 1972. As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War, I participated in the evacuation of Phnom Penh, and the Mayaguez incident. I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in the Mayaquez incident. [...] I earned a Masters Degree in Aviation Management from Embry Riddle University, hold a California teaching credential and am a certified Red Cross instructor."
bio :: issues :: no contribute link, but you can volunteer