In September of 2021, I came home to my county of birth to be the Chaffee County Veteran’s
Service Officer, after serving 23 years in the U.S. Army/Army Reserve and retiring as a Major. I enlisted when I was 26 years old. My inspiration was my middle school teacher, Dale Little. I remember him speaking positively of the military, sharing stories and instilling that passion. I just had to do it or I knew I would miss something great in my life. As it turned out, I loved it and now my son, who now serves, loves it as well. Amazing blessing in our lives, thanks to my middle school teacher. Lt. Col. Dale Little spent 25 years in military service including two tours in Vietnam and went on to teach middle
school math in Salida for 17 years.
 

I was born and raised in Salida, graduated from Salida High School in 1988. I earned my
bachelor’s degree in political science and social science from Colorado State University in Pueblo and in
1999 I received my master’s degree in business administration with a focus in Healthcare Administration
from National University in La Jolla, California. While serving in the Army my primary job was a Strategic and Operational Medical Planner. I evaluated, executed and assessed medical planning for crisis response operations in war and peacetime
environments. Throughout my service I was called to serve in numerous countries all around the world.
Serving in the Republic of Korea in 2018, I helped produce innovative solutions toward globally
integrated operations resulting in de-escalation talks between President Trump and North Korean
President Kim Jong-un.
 

I was an integral member of a Joint Enabling Capabilities Command Team out of Norfolk, Virginia
where I completed multiple rotations to various countries in Europe. While in Europe I supported NATO
planning efforts and completed a medical and supply plan at NATO Headquarters in Mons, Belgium. I
was selected as an instructor/facilitator by the NATO Center of Military Medicine in Oberammergau,
Germany, where I helped develop the NATO Joint Medical Planners Courses.
 

In 2017 I supported a disaster response in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following the devastation from
Hurricane Matthew. In 2014 I was deployed to Djibouti, Africa for 12 months for Ebola Response as well
as other missions promoting stability and US Army Operations throughout Africa. While serving as a
Company Commander at Fort Carson, Colorado, I managed administrative operations, logistics and
personnel to support an integrated Active Duty Army, Army Reserve/National Guard and Civilian
Headquarters with a geographical area of more than 2.1 million square miles.
 

I will never forget the great men and women that I served with. They impacted my life in the
best way. I love the United States of America and the Army, and I have great respect for the soldiers,
airmen, sailors and marines. They are unbelievably dedicated people who work hard for our country,
their families and the American people. Words cannot describe how much they give to ensure
Americans are safe and free. My life was changed by my service. Early in my career a quote was shared
with me by a soldier. It guided my service and my life. There are two things that separate people - the
willingness to work hard and the willingness to endure suffering. If you remember that, no challenge is
too difficult.

Another favorite quote is from Ronald Reagan: Freedom is never more than one generation
away from extinction. We don’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,
protected and handed on for them to do the same or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our
children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.