Opinion

Gusse: I want to honorably represent veterans on council

Sep 18, 2016

By Julia R. Gusse

I was asked as to why I am so heavily involved with our veteran community. It was a lengthy conversation but the short answer is that I’m involved because I want to continue to serve.

While in the military, I held a top-secret clearance and worked at the National Security Agency in Maryland. On my off duty time I volunteered at a youth correctional institution, played on the base travel basketball team, made lifelong friends and married a fellow active duty sailor. I have been a veteran advocate since I completed my enlistment in the United States Air Force. I took an oath and have continued to honor that oath by serving my fellow brothers and sisters in uniform. I was recently appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey to serve as a State of Arizona local board member of the Selective Service System (aka; Draft Board). This is not only a great honor but for those of you who are familiar with these duties, this is also a huge responsibility.

The following are the organizations that I have taken an active role in service of our Maricopa veterans.
•   Founding Member of the Maricopa American Legion Post #133 (2008)
•   Cell Phones for Vets; collected hundreds of cell phones to be recycled and in return for phone cards distributed to active members overseas so that they may call home (2008-09)
•   Maricopa American Legion Post #133 Commander (2011-12 and current active member)
•   Founding Member and former President of the Maricopa American Legion Auxiliary Unit #133 (2012 – current active member)
•   Founder of the Maricopa American Legion Baseball (2012 – current)
•   Founder of the first Maricopa Veterans Town Hall (2013, 2014)
•   Founder of the first Maricopa Operation Welcome Home (2011-2014)
•   Founder and CEO of VetIT, Inc., a military Veteran 501(c)3 non-profit organization (2015-current)
•   Vice Commander of the American Legion District #4, Pinal County (current)

While on City Council I served on the National League of Cities and Towns Women in Municipal Government Board and was instrumental in bringing to light the many issues regarding women in military service. During a time when our local veterans were dealing with the hostile and negative treatment and procedures at the Phoenix VA, I managed to bring the Phoenix VA Hospital Interim Director (along with his certified staff) into Maricopa to discuss and resolve issues for our local veterans.

In the past two years, I have been publishing veteran related articles in a local publication to bring awareness to veteran issues and have founded (on my own dime) a nonprofit organization to address these issues locally. For my “full-time employment,” I am a University Veteran Program Coordinator, assisting military vets reach their academic goals. As you can clearly see, I am passionate about serving my veterans and my community.

With your assistance and your vote, I hope to honorably represent our veterans once more on our Maricopa City Council.

Julia Romero Gusse is a candidate for Maricopa City Council.