On July 27, 2004, a little-known state senator from Illinois, seeking to upgrade his position by winning his state’s U.S. Senate contest, gave a speech to the Democratic National Convention at the request of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.

At the conclusion of that speech, it was clear that a star was born. The speech was a rhetorical masterpiece, and the underlying theme was one that spoke to all of us.

(more…)

I am a second-generation military veteran, following in the footsteps of my father who served over two decades in the U.S. Air Force as a munitions maintenance specialist, loading weapons on our nation’s warplanes. I was honored to carry my father’s legacy forward, and proud to serve my country.

(more…)