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 Dependent (Husband – First Lieutenant Aaron Contreras)
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho
Institution of Higher Learning: University of Idaho (Moscow, ID)
Degree Sought: Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology

Sending her husband, First Lieutenant Aaron Contreras, to war was one of the bravest things Bonnie Contreras has ever had to do. Standing in the early morning Idaho cold, Bonnie held close both their six month old daughter, Amara, and their four year old daughter, Kenya, watching as Aaron saluted them before takeoff.

As Bonnie recalls that day, “The pride and devastation were equal, but I knew I was strong enough to stand and send him to duty and I knew that we would be waiting with equal anticipation for his return.” And return he did, which at that point, Bonnie and Aaron moved to Moscow, Idaho, where they both entered graduate programs at the University of Idaho.

Bonnie is continuing her studies in special education and school counseling as she works towards her education specialist degree. Upon graduation, Bonnie plans to work as a school psychologist at the elementary level and eventually earn a PhD in child psychology. Additionally, raised in a family focused on service, it is Bonnie’s goal to pass that focus onto her two daughters and son, Xander.

Quote from Bonnie:

“It is my goal through professional education and life experience to better able myself to serve family, country and community to the best of my capabilities.”