Candidates provide military background, experiences

Candidates with previous military experience, who are running for city council, include Julia Romero-Gusse, Alan Marchione and Rosalin Sanhadja (Bridger Kimball chose not to be included). Leon Potter is a candidate for the mayoral spot.

Each individual submitted the following information:  military branch, memorable service duty station, memorable award or recognition and reason for enlistment.

Julia Romero-Gusse  Branch: United States Air Force
 
Memorable Duty Station: The National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade, Maryland. I was a Morse Code Operator/Cryptologic Technician and held a security clearance. The most memorable assignment was working during “Operation Just Cause”.
 
I received various recognitions for my joint service assignments, but the most memorable was at a non-enlistment banquet where I received an award for my volunteer work at a boys’ prison in Maryland.
 
I enlisted in the Air Force during my senior year in high school. I was only 17 years old, and my parents had to give their signatures so that I could participate in the Early Enlistment Program. I did not leave for basic training until I was 18 years old, and my primary goal going into the service was to take advantage of the Montgomery G.I. Bill because I knew my parents were not going to be able to put me through college. When I completed my enlistment, I gained more than I could have ever given to my country. I learned patriotism, community service, and live by the motto today – ‘for God and country.’

Alan Marchione  Branch: United States Marine Corps, Sergeant
 
Unit: VMFA(AW)-225, Marine Air Group 11, 3rd Marine Air Wing, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific; December 1990-December 1995
 
As a single Marine, I was continuously volunteered for every short and long detachment.  I had the opportunity to travel non-stop during my tour, and my most memorable touchdown was on Wake Island, in the middle of the Pacific. There were only 100 people on the island, and we went deep-sea fishing on a WWII era landing craft. Great experience!

Leon Potter Branch: Navy (July 25th,1988 – July 21st,1999)

Memorable Duty Station; FLEASWTRACENPAC San Diego, CA. I went there for training early in my service years, but I learned more and appreciated it more when I returned for shore duty as an instructor. I was able to share the knowledge I had from my training along with the experience and additional knowledge I had gained during my five years of sea duty.

Memorable award and/or recognitions: Southwest Asia Service Medal. This isn’t the most memorable to me because it’s something I did, but what it meant to others. I remember when my ship, the USS John Young DD-973, stopped for a port visit in Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield. The Kuwaiti people would shake my hand and thank me because the United States of America helped return their freedom from Iraq.

I enlisted immediately after high school because I thought it was a good opportunity to further my education and see other places I might not be able to see otherwise.
 
I help my fellow man by coaching youth sports, specifically soccer. I know how it feels to be overlooked and not given the opportunities to play and improve because “winning” seemed to be the most important thing. All I wanted was to feel like I helped the team. When I started as volunteer coach seven years ago, I wanted to be the coach that gives every child the opportunity to get better while helping the team on the field.

Rosalin Sanhadja Branch: Army
 
It is hard to choose a most memorable station. But if I had to pick one, I guess it would be the Pentagon. I helped process promotions, awards and medals for soldiers of all ranks. It always rewarding to be a part of honoring another soldier.
 
At ARPERSCOM-federal record center, Carlisle War College, Pacific South Command-Camp Smith and the Pentagon, I was awarded three achievement medals, two plaques and two certificates for outstanding legal support. But the Pentagon is near and dear to me since I was also given a coin generally given to foreign dignitaries from former Joint Chief of Staff General John Shalikashvili.
 
It was career day, and I was 16 when I first decided I wanted to join the Army’s JAG Corps. My first job was at a district justice office, processing parking tickets. When the recruiter asked me why I was working there, I said “I am working my way to a position where I can really help people.” The recruiter told me that if I really wanted to help people there was no better place to do it than the Army. 

I come from a family of many who have served before me, including my oldest sister.  But it is now that my own son is an Army Ranger serving in Iraq that I know why God ultimately led me in that direction. As a mother I worry sometimes, but, as a former soldier, I know his call to duty was for the same reason as mine. It was just the right thing to do.     
 
Pictured:  (left to right) top—Alan Marchione, Leon Potter; bottom—Rosalin Sanhadja, Julia Romero-Gusse

Submitted photos