William Bennett, United States Air Force, Florida Vets for Freedom State Captain

Mr. Bennett served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force as a weather observer and forecaster. Bennett has served in support of operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, and most recently, Operation Iraqi Freedom. While stationed at Baghdad International Airport in early 2006, Will assisted with the Community Medical Operations Center which helped provide toiletries, shoes, and toys for Iraqis who visited the clinic. He also assisted the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority in facilitating commercial airline traffic through military controlled airports. Bennett has received multiple awards throughout his service including the Air Force Commendation Medal w/Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Nato Medal with Bronze Star Device, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal w/Gold Border, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Device, multiple Airmen and NCO of the Quarter and an NCO of the Year awards. He is currently attending Webber International University as a Junior in the Business Management Under-graduate program.

Joshua Zissler, USMC, Michigan Vets for Freedom State Captain

Mr. Zissler served in the United States Marine Corps from August of 1998 to February of 2006. He has served two tours in Iraq as an operation with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company ans was awarded at the Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart during his service. He is currently studying at Michigan State University and resides in East Lansing Michigan.

Lee Crognale, US Naval Reserve, Army National Guard Ohio Vets for Freedom State Captain

Mr. Crognale served as a contractor with the United States Air Force from May 04 until August 04. He worked on the Predator UAV. Crognale was at Balad Air base during that time.
Crognale returned to Iraq in October 2006 with Naval Special Warfare as an Interrogator. Crognale began his deployment in Habbaniya as a targeting officer. His travel took him through Fallujah on his way to Al Asad Airbase where be began interrogation operations in support of Army Special Forces. Mr. Crognale moved again to Al Qaim in order to provide support to an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) team. Crognale returned to the United States in April 2007. Crognale received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat "V" for this deployment. Crognale has 19 years of service in both the Naval Reserve and Army National Guard. He currently resides in Powell, Ohio with his wife Cheryl and his three children.

Specialist Kate Norley, United States Army, Maryland Vets for Freedom

Kate Norley's call to duty occurred following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when she realized that her country needed her, and she subsequently put her education on hold to go join the military.
Specialist (Spc.) Norley deployed to Iraq in December 2003 for a combat-tour of 16 months. Norley served as a medic during combat operations in Fallujah, Sadr City, and Ramadi-some of the most challenging arenas in the war. While doing so, Norley was awarded the Combat Medic Badge for providing medical care while under fire. Norley traveled throughout Iraq as medical support on patrols, and also provided emergency response to ambushed units. When working with mobile-forward support elements, Norley met with Army sniper teams, and collected valuable information regarding morale and sleep logs used between missions to provide reports to top commanders in the theater. Spc. Norley has additional specialty training in handling combat stress, and she served as the sole female combat-stress specialist to more than 20,000 troops. In addition to conducting critical event debriefings, Norley also managed the task of identifying troop remains alongside Mortuary Affair teams throughout Baghdad. Towards the end of her tour, she was presented the honor of addressing female students at the University of Baghdad about gender equality. Upon returning from Iraq, Spc. Norley was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Facility (Washington D.C.) where she completed her initial military obligation. Norley has also spoken at the 2006 Cross-Cultural Solutions Global Summit regarding gender equality and monitoring the stress of volunteers during transition when abroad. She is currently attending George Washington University and plans on continuing service once she has completed her degree as a Physician's Assistant.

Corporal Michael 'Ben' Hayden USMC Iowa Vets for Freedom State Captain

CPL Hayden served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003-2007. During his service he was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and then again in 2005-2006. CPL Hayden served as a member of the First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and was in the first battle of Fallujah. CPL Hayden battled insurgents across the Al Anbar province. He received a Certificate of Commendation from the USMC for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and his battalion received multiple citations for their actions in OIF.

Chere Pedersen (Blue Star Mom) President Blue Star Mothers of Southern Nevada; State Rep Families United Nevada

Chere Pedersen is a Blue Star Mother and daughter of Army Colonel JR Meese (ret.), with her son currently serving on his second tour in Iraq with the 1-35th Armor as a Combat Medic. Since joining her Blue Star Mothers chapter in 2005, membership has grown significantly, leading her to become President of Blue Star Mothers of Southern Nevada. In September 2007 Chere joined Families United, where she was asked shortly thereafter to become the Nevada state representative. Honored at having so many friends that have served our country, Chere has formed relationships with many veterans groups such as the Legion, Patriot Guard, and Soldiers Angels. As her son continues to put himself in harms way for our freedom's Chere continues to work to support the troops AND their mission through her work with Families United and Vets for Freedom.

Jason Meszaros US Army Minnesota Vets for Freedom State Co-Captain

Jason Meszaros served as an Intelligence Officer and operated mostly in the Special Operations Community. During his decade of service he conducted intelligence operations in multiple theaters in the Global War on Terror. While in Afghanistan Meszaros was assigned to several task forces and his work and the work of others led to capture of several senior Al Qaeda operatives. He currently resides in St. Michael Minnesota and is proud to be working with Michael Baumann for Vets for Freedom Minnesota.

Sergeant Daniel Bell, Missouri Vets for Freedom State Captain

SGT Bell served from January 2004- April 2006 in both Iraq and Afghanistan. SGT Bell served as a Special Operations Medic in the 160th S.O.A.R. and has received multiple decorations for his actions in Iraq and Afghanistan including two Air Medal Awards, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal. After more than nine years of service in the Army, Daniel separated in 2006, promoting support for the troops and victory in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since being honorably discharged, Daniel has voiced his endorsement of these efforts and the importance of their success through activism, public speaking, and the media. Daniel regularly lobbies his state and U.S. representatives and senators in both Missouri and Washington, D.C. to support victory in the Global War on Terror. A Missouri resident, Daniel manages a research and psychiatric clinic and will graduate with a degree in business from Evangel University in 2009.