About Tom O'Donoghue
Tom selected Northern Virginia as the place to make his home and raise his family more than a decade ago. He was impressed by the region's vitality and promise. Tom believes that for Northern Virginia and the nation, the greatest days are still ahead. As the congressman elected by the people of Northern Virginia, Tom will see himself first and foremost as a leader responsible for bringing vision, leadership and clear direction to Northern Virginia and the country.
Inspired by President Reagan's call to national service, Tom's schooling for this challenge began many years ago at a place where the ghosts of America's great leaders still haunt its grounds: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. On graduating from West Point, Tom served his first overseas tour of duty with a forward deployed brigade of the 2nd Armored Division in Germany. Here he witnessed first-hand the culmination of years of leadership, vision and the hard work of this nation that resulted in the fall of the Berlin Wall, the defeat of communism in Eastern Europe and the re-unification of a divided Germany without a single shot being fired. As a participant in and a witness of the monumental changes that swept the globe at the end of the Cold War, he recognized the need to gain a deeper understanding. Tom began an intense academic program during the limited amount of free time afforded an Army platoon leader deployed overseas. Tom completed his studies by traveling to European cities and earned a master's degree in international relations from Boston University's Overseas Studies Program.
After his service in Germany, Tom and his wife, Kathy, were married. Tom continued his studies, this time at Yale University, where he concentrated in business and economics and earned an MBA. Shortly after earning his MBA, Tom and Kathy moved to Northern Virginia. While working as a telecommunications analyst in Northern Virginia, Tom served in the U.S. Army Reserve and enrolled at Georgetown University where he earned a law degree.
After the attacks of September 11th, Tom left his civilian job and volunteered for service in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. Assigned to the Civil-Military Operations Task Force in Kabul, he served with the finest soldiers this nation has ever produced: the men and women from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command; the 10th Mountain Division; and the 18th Airborne Corps. On returning from Afghanistan, he spent a short period of time at his home in Springfield, Virginia before shipping out to Kuwait in preparation for the war in Iraq. Tom, as part of his unit's advance party, arrived in Baghdad in April 2003 as the 3rd Infantry Division gained control of the city. He remained in Baghdad to serve his second year of combat duty with the 3rd Infantry Division and the 1st Armored Division. He was awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star for his service.
After nearly two years of combat duty, Tom is painfully aware of the sacrifices that soldiers are asked to make on behalf of this country. He understands the need for visionary leadership to steer this nation through these complex times while ensuring prosperity at home. "Business as usual" will not be enough. Lifelong professional politicians and Washington insiders beholden to the special interests are not capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
After much reflection and long conversations with trusted friends and family, Tom has stepped up to join a new generation of men and women prepared to lead this nation. He seeks your support.
http://www.tomodonoghue.com/about.html
"reaching out to labor organizations and African-Americans,"
I've always voted Republican against Moron; but now for this one!