Biography:

Branch of Armed Services: Army
Age: 27
Hometown: Bellerose, New York
Institution of Higher Learning: City College of New York (New York, NY)
Degree Sought: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

Two tours of duty in Iraq were enough to make Sergeant Don Gomez realize his calling was to dedicate himself to serving the interests of the U.S. in the Middle East. Firsthand experience with the cultural gap that exists between the U.S. forces and the people of Iraq were enough to drive him to pursue a degree in Middle Eastern studies and a mastery of the Arabic language.

Don will return to the Middle East for a third time this fall, however, this stay will be as a student at the renowned Arabic Language Institute at the American University in Cairo. Already recognized as a Truman Scholar and Horatio Alger Military Scholar, Don is also an active member of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Upon his return from Egypt and his graduation from the City College of New York, Don plans to enter the service of the U.S. government in a different role as a State Department Foreign Service officer.

Quotes from Don:

“I believe in the traits that made Pat Tillman a model soldier and citizen: independent thinking, an iron will and a burning passion for the mission at hand.”

“During my five years of military service, the quality that I admired most in my leaders – and myself – was the courage to take decisive action. The ability to make decisions and give orders under fire while lives dangle in the balance is an incredible quality that demands respect and admiration.”