Obernolte Recognizes ___

  VETERAN of the YEAR 2015 

     Army Lieutenant Colonel Brad Letner 

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Sacramento, California ____  Wednesday June 24^th, Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) recognized Army Lt. Col. Brad Letner as the 2015 Veteran of the Year for the 33^rd Assembly District. Lt. Col. Letner was present in Sacramento, Wednesday to accept the award at a luncheon honoring Veterans from all 80 Assembly Districts.

“Lieutenant Colonel Letner is a man of courage, who served his country with distinction and continues to serve his community each and every day,” stated Assemblyman Obernolte. “We owe a great deal to the men and women in uniform who have put their lives on the line to defend our country and the freedoms we often take for granted. It is an honor to recognize and thank such a deserving individual for his service.”

Born in Battle Creek, MI, Brad Letner graduated from Western Michigan University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Statistics. He later went on to earn a Masters Degree in communication from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI and is a graduate of the prestigious U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Lt. Col. Letner served in the Army more than twenty-seven years, completing two tours in Afghanistan. Over the course of his career, Letner served on a number of bases including Fort Irwin as well as at the Army’s Emergency Operations Center at the Pentagon. Additionally, he has held positions in the U.S. Army’s Western Region Recruiting Command as a global transportation planner, market analyst and operations officer. Letner’s numerous awards and honors include a Bronze Star, Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Letner retired from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

Lt. Col. Letner settled in the High Desert in 2000 and currently serves as the President/CEO of the Hesperia Chamber of Commerce, where he seeks to bolster economic development and attract jobs to the Victor Valley.

Lt. Col. Letner attended the eighth annual Veteran of the Year Recognition Luncheon with other veterans and state lawmakers. This year’s luncheon was hosted by the following veteran service organizations: American Legion, Department of California, AMVETS, Department of California, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California, and Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council.