The Summit provided a unique opportunity to highlight the needs and hardships faced by military families today. Pat Tillman Foundation Board Chair Marie Tillman was joined on Capitol Hill by Arizona Senator John McCain, Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor and inaugural Tillman Military Scholars Aaron and Bonnie Contreras, William “Spanky” Gibson, Richard Garcia, Jed Hefner and Dennis Robinson in an effort to shed light on the challenges military families face.

To see a a portion of Marie Tillman’s speech, click play here:

this link

For photos from the Summit, see below.

Photos by Doug Kapustin

Biography:

Branch of Armed Services: Army
Age: 31
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho
Institution of Higher Learning: University of Idaho (Moscow, ID)
Degree Sought: Juris Doctor

When First Lieutenant Aaron Contreras enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 2000, no one could have known what was right around the corner. While at basic training, the infamous attacks of September 11, 2001, occurred, bringing a whole new meaning to Aaron’s service. As Aaron recalls, “I will never forget being out at the range conducting basic rifle marksmanship and having the drill sergeants tell us that two planes had been flown into the World Trade Center.”

With a newly fortified desire to serve as an officer in the U.S. military, Aaron began the ROTC program while finishing his undergraduate degree. Upon graduation, Aaron decided to enter flight school where he was trained as an Apache helicopter pilot and subsequently deployed to Afghanistan. Leaving his wife and two daughters back home in Idaho was the toughest decision Aaron could make, and the reason why he recognizes the sacrifices they made as equal to the one he himself made. Now back with his family in Moscow, Idaho, Aaron is completing his law degree with which he hopes to continue his service in the U.S. Army as a JAG officer.

Quote from Aaron:

“I realize that my service has taken me away from my family many times, but truly my service has been for the people and things I hold dearest: my family, my friends, and my country.”