Who am I?

I am...

A South Vietnamese mayor, regional bank owner/president, and philanthropist's grand-daughter, on my mother's side.

I am the daughter of a South Vietnamese Army Colonel, who is also a Vietnam War POW. I am also the maternal niece of a South Vietnamese military" district attorney" who was a Vietnam War POW, for almost a decade.

I proudly hail from the state of Virginia and grew up a poor, disabled janitor's daughter, close to D.C., in the ghetto, and barrio of Northern Virginia. I'm proud to be from a double-POW, Vietnam War family.

As a child and teen, I often worked, cooking, babysitting, cleaning, laundering, and in retail, since both of my parents were and still are disabled.

I'm a former, active-duty, US Navy radioman/DP/IT. I am also, a female, minority, formerly enlisted, petty officer. I became a Persian Gulf War veteran at age 17.

I made E-4 at age 18, in less time than most, based upon my performance, conduct, character academic test scores in boot camp and 'A' school.

As a former military spouse, active-duty, service member mother, disabled veteran homemaker, I happen to also be a Jewish feminist, and Democrat.