ENDORSEMENT

U.S. Marine Colonel Tom Duhs has a long history in training our nations warriors in specialized warfare. He served at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in California—the Marine Corps version of Camp Hale, in Colorado. He also trained Marines in cold weather operations in Alaska. During his 30 year career he participated in five winter deployments to Norway on NATO exercises.

Duhs is the co-author of two books, “Sempre Avanti—Always forward”, and “Ice and Granite—Snow Soldiers of Riva Ridge”.

He regularly makes presentations on the 10th Mountain Division, a specially trained light infantry unit of the U.S. Army that has recently served in Iraq and Syria.

“As a Marine Corps Colonel with thirty years’ experience, I have had the opportunity to evaluate, assess and write efficiency reports on hundreds of Marines from the rank of Sergeant to Lieutenant Colonel. This experience assures me that I am capable and skilled at discerning the qualities of men and women.

After meeting and listening to Erik Aadland, I was able to appraise his character, demeanor, and deportment as a man, and possible Congressman to the US House of Representatives. What I can attest to is that Erik Aadland has consistent, reliable, balanced, integrity and is a man of honor. This assessment is based on my observations of him in the public forum and listening to him on radio talk show broadcasts. My personal relationship with him is warm, friendly and professional. I think of him as a protégé who has the courage to embark on a path of continued service to our country in politics.

As a graduate of West Point, it is obvious that he has the mental capacity, the endurance, and stamina to take on the job of a congressman. As a combat commander in Iraq and Afghanistan his proven record as a junior officer leading soldiers under the extremely difficult and dangerous conditions of war provides more than enough reason to put our trust in him as the congressman to represent the people of Colorado District 7.

The soldiers under his command trusted Erik with their lives, and he brought them home in one piece. Erik listened to the concerns of his soldiers while still executing the assigned tasks of those commanders under whom he served and always accomplished the mission. Listening is an important trait for an officer to possess. My experience with Erik is that he does listen to those subordinate to him as well as to those senior to him. This trait convinces me that he will listen and pay heed to the desires and concerns of the constituents of District 7.

Additionally, I should say that loyalty is a two-way street, and the troops can immediately discern all the significant attributes of an officer. The troops don’t care about how much you know, but they know how much you care. Loyalty is one of the most important traits an officer must possess, not only to his command but also to his soldiers. The citizens of District 7 can rest assured that Erik Aadland will be a loyal, competent, trustworthy,
stalwart representative of the people. He exemplifies all the highest virtues expected of a military officer, and a congressman in the US House of Representatives.

As a son of an Army General Officer, a husband and father, and as a friend, Erik Aadland espouses and demonstrates all the qualities of a person we all hope to associate with. Therefore, I highly recommend Erik be elected to serve District 7 as its representative to Congress as he has my highest endorsement for this office.”

– Colonel Tom Duhs