Hi. My name is Dave. I’m pretty much a big 5-year old. I love people. I build stuff. I fight for what I believe in. I ALWAYS reach out to people in need. And I make communities stronger…. And I’m gonna do it alllll over the world for 11 months, starting in January of 2014…
I have always enjoyed leading, inspiring, and helping people. I’m extremely competitive, I love cultures and travel, and I push my limits every single day. I spend my free time volunteering, working with children, serving in soup kitchens, and looking for new adventures and ways to make our world a better place.
I have a strong desire to serve and help others. I believe in leadership, commitment, and strong moral values. I also believe in following your heart. And hence, the World Race. I feel that if you are considering supporting me, it only makes sense to give you some idea of who I am. Like any good 5-year old, I’m going to use a lot of photos to explain “me”.
(For a more in-depth explanation of why I have signed up for the World Race, including some of the struggles that I faced when I returned home from combat, click here)
- I grew up in Akron, Ohio. I was pretty much an average student, but only because I didn’t try very hard. Wrestling was my favorite sport and I also ran Cross Country to stay in shape.
- On 9/11, as I watched the towers fall while sitting in my high school ROTC class, I knew for the first time that I was going to war. I went home, threw my bookbag in the chair and told my mom “As soon as I am eligible to enlist, we are going to the Marine recruiting station”. Immediately after HS, I joined the Marine Corps infantry.
- On June 9, 2003, I left for USMC recruit training at Parris Island, SC. After graduating as the “Iron Man” from my bootcamp class and also graduating at the top of my School of Infantry course, I was sent to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines of the world famous 1st Marine Division.
- I deployed to Iraq from May 2004-February 2005 where my unit was involved in some of the heaviest fighting of the war. (That’s me below, second from right, after my team was trapped on the roof of a burning building during a 5 hour gunfight).
- From 2005-2006, I went through numerous shooting, leadership, surveillance, trauma medicine, and other military schools. In 2006, I deployed again with the 11th Marine Expeditionary unit. In 2007, I was honorably discharged at the end of my 4 year enlistment and I started looking for jobs.
- From 2008-2011, I worked full-time for an oil company in Los Angeles while attending community college. I also ran the LA marathon to raise money for SOWF, became and EMT, got SCUBA certified, and rode my bike 450 miles from San Francisco to LA to raise money for injured veterans. Finally, I earned a 4.0 GPA and transferred to UC Berkeley.
- In May of 2013, I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science-International Relations, earning honors and a 3.65 GPA. I also served as the President of UC Berkeley’s veterans group and worked as a Peer Mentor for Wounded Warior Project. I lobbied Congress for veterans benefits in D.C., holding meetings in Congressional offices and the West Wing of the White House. I was also selected to ride mountain bikes with president George W. Bush in Amarillo, TX for a week. During summer and winter breaks, I hiked and rafted through the jungles of Central America and backpacked through the Andes of Patagonia in southern Argentina/Chile.
- I am Currently a national spokesperson for Wounded Warrior Project. I am also working for the New York Stock Exchange as a paid intern until August as part of their Veteran Associates Program. I do Global Marketing and Branding and work in the Events department. It’s an awesome job, but I am still 100% set on leaving for the World Race in January.
- Sometimes in life, you have to take chances. I have no doubt that this will be the most challenging, rewarding, and incredible experience of my life. I am excited to go and serve and see what God has in store for me. So, I hope that you will subscribe, support me, and follow along on the adventure of a lifetime!
Thank you for reading, and God bless.
– Dave
