Service To Country

As a member of a large Irish-Catholic family I knew that a college education was my own responsibility. So, at seventeen I enlisted in the Kentucky Air National Guard and agreed to serve six years as a fuel truck driver. Almost immediately I began to appreciate the satisfaction of serving in our country’s armed forces. Although I enjoyed my job as a truck driver, more opportunities and responsibilities became available to me and I re-enlisted. Military service helped me to complete my degree, officers’ school and pilot training. It has also allowed me to experience the cultures of eighty countries, especially those in Europe, Central and South America.

Guardsmen clearing roads in Grayson Co. during the devastating ice-storm of 2009

The Air National Guard has both federal and state missions. Our primary Kentucky role is to provide state-wide assistance in times of emergency. For example, during the 2009 ice storm we cleared roads of downed trees and checked on the health and welfare of citizens in rural central Kentucky. This was an extremely rewarding mission. It helped our Kentucky neighbors and allowed us to meet some really great people.

As a Lieutenant Colonel reflecting on twenty-two years of service, I feel fortunate for the opportunities and responsibilities given me. This experience has taught me the importance and nobility of public service. Being deployed numerous times allowed me to be a proud ambassador of our great country. The American flag on my plane and flightsuit stand as symbols of our commitment to freedom.

We are in desperate need of principled, thoughtful, dedicated and responsible new leaders to solve the serious problems facing our country. As a career military officer I have been required to consistently display the highest levels of integrity and responsibility. My extensive experience has uniquely qualified me to be a critical thinker and problem solver. My travels provide a worldly perspective on the problems facing America. Now I believe my talents can best be used to continue serving my state and country in the halls of Congress.

“Todd Lally is a member of the Air National Guard. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense.”