Dave Lucier’s life is an interesting journey. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech
and by a LIFE magazine article, in 1967 David decided to enlist into the Army with the intention of trying out for newly formed Special Forces.
As a combat medic, David became a Green Beret. He was attached to the Kontum MIKE Force. They were tasked with training indigenous forces and conducting operations along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
After returning home, in 1974 David graduated from Arizona State University. He then began a career in finance, banking and real estate. However, in 2003, at the age of 55, David went to Iraq to work as a security contractor with the Department of Defense. He finished his contracting career in 2008 while working for the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan.
MIKE Force Background
Currently, David is involved in many Arizona and national organizations as a military Veteran advocate. His causes include erecting monuments, reforming the Arizona university education model – allowing them to become more Veteran friendly and advocating for more state-sponsored Veteran benefit counselors.
Additionally, David was recently involved with the VA’s “The Moment When” campaign. The project was designed to highlight Veterans who have received mental health assistance, letting Veterans know that they are not alone in their struggles, and to encourage Veterans to get help. It was also designed to encourage family members to assist their loved ones in recovery.
David’s “The Moment When”
Enjoy.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE
Additional Links:
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/100-years-later-arizona-finally-ready-to-pay-fitting-tribute-to-world-war-i/ar-BBPwJfx
- http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/93671
- https://nevalleynews.org/9686/news/phoenix-va-commemorates-vietnam-veterans/
#BtB Veteran of the Week:
- Marine Corp Veteran William Tully Brown.
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