Vortex® asked for your nominations to send a Veteran to the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl, and you came through in a big way! In all, over 650 nominations were submitted - after reading hundreds of incredible submissions, Christopher D. from North Dakota was selected to receive an all-expenses paid trip to the December bowl game.

I would like to nominate my favorite veteran, husband, father and community member Christopher to be this year’s Vortex hero and celebrate him with a trip to the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl! Chris is a 10-year United States Army Veteran who was compelled to enlist after the September 11th terror attacks on our country and served honorably from 2001 to 2011. He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 to 2007, marking the longest deployment in MN Army National Guard history and returned from his overseas mission with a passion for veterans and an urge to help provide each returning soldier with the resources and benefits that they require, have earned and undoubtedly deserve as they return from live-changing deployments. 

After Chris’ return, he earned his graduate degree in Counseling from the University of North Dakota and set out to make sure that each and every hero that has defended our country receives the necessary benefits that they are entitled. He began his crusade by working with the Gladys Ray homeless shelter and SENDCAA non-profit organization providing access to housing employment and education to both returning soldiers as well as US veterans of previous wars. Chris helped hundreds of veterans in our community during his time with these great organizations and continues his work on a larger scale as the Cass County Veteran Service Officer. 

In his current position Christopher works tirelessly along with his staff to be an advocate for veterans in our county while collaborating with several service organizations, partners and individuals who share his passion and beliefs. Their office currently serves over 11,000 individual veterans in our community by assisting them with their specific needs and helping to confirm eligibility to aid in them opening the door to all the benefits that they have earned while serving in the United States Military.

He spends his days paying it forward to our local heroes by assisting in tracking down military records and decorations, filing for compensation benefits and pensions, securing necessary admissions to the North Dakota Veterans Home and ultimately ND Veteran Cemetery and providing resources and referrals regarding home loan eligibility life insurance policies, education and benefits.

In his free time, Christopher is a loving husband, a great role model father to his three children, an avid football fan and a frequent traveler. Please consider my hero Christopher as the winner of the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl Hero!

I would like to nominate my husband Greg R. for his service to our country and his continued service to our community. Greg was in the US Army for eight years as a combat medic. While deployed in 2004 to Iraq he sustained multiple injuries that rendered him 100% disabled. It broke his heart when he could no longer deploy with his unit and guys. He eventually returned to civilian life and currently works for Allegheny County Police as a detective.

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My father is an Army veteran of the Vietnam war. He is a Purple Heart recipient who was severely wounded in action. He has spent the last 10 years volunteering and working with the Military Order of the Purple Heart to help other veterans with benefits approval and re-acclimation to civilian life! He is my hero and he deserves to have a chance to go to this game. He otherwise would never be able to afford or spend time and money away from his Purple Heart chapter.

CPL Shane Robert M. served in the battle of Fallujah Operation Phantom Fury 1st battalion 8th Marines November 2004. The 1/8 was tasked with sweeping the center of the city rooting out insurgents. Door to door missions were everyday routine loosing 21 members of the total unit during the engagement. Also assisted in Recovery and clean up of Katrina.

Anthony R. 100% service disabled Veteran of the United States Army. Chem Corps in Iraq (OIF) and injured when vehicle struck by IED. Completed tour and came home to resume role as single parent to his son Anthony Jr. (now also a Veteran of the 101st Ann Div). Anthony is a proud soldier and staunch advocate for Veterans and Veterans issues. I would love to see him be able to engage in a positive and meaningful opportunity like this with his son. Thank you for your time consideration and dedication to Veterans.

My coworker Brent M. Brent served for 8 years with the 101st Airborne 2nd Calvary Regiment with multiple tours in Afghanistan and Africa . Brent was injured receiving a Purple Heart when a 81mm mortar round launched by the Taliban detonated next to him. Brent also has the combat infantry badge. I am nominating Brent because of how humble and giving he is. Brent returned stateside and works as a firefighter for the Department of Defense US Army. Brent also gives back to his community volunteering as a firefighter. He is currently a Captain with the Singerly Hook and Ladder Company. Brent is a father who takes his daughter on as many adventures he can from rock climbing to hikes in nature. Brent is a man among men!

I would like to nominate Puaonalani H. Pua is an Army Veteran. Pua was in Army ROTC at University of San Francisco. Upon graduation she was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Chemical Corp. She went to Army Chemical Corp school in Fort Leonardwood. Upon graduation she was assigned to 83rd Chemical Battalion at Fort Polk La. As a platoon leader for a biological detection unit September 11 occured. She was deployed on a training evolution in Utah on that horrific day. She organized her soldiers and returned to Fort Polk and deploy from Fort Polk 96 hours later to Washington DC for concerns of a 2nd attack with biological weapons. They worked long hours protecting our capital for 2 months.

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It was our honor to experience your stories. We are dedicated to doing everything we can to ensure all of America’s heroes get the support and recognition they deserve. We received so many incredible nominations - here's an illustration of the most common words used to describe these heroes:

If you want to help support America’s heroes, please consider donating to an organization of your choice. Here are a few great options:

HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK

US WAR DOGS ASSOCIATION

FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION

FOLDS OF HONOR

SPECIAL OPS EXCURSIONS

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