My name is Kevin Burge.

I don’t come from a wealthy or powerful family – everything I have achieved, I’ve had to work for. I was born into a family of humble means in Los Alamos New Mexico. We didn’t have a lot growing up.

My parents worked hard to buy a trailer on the outskirts of the town and taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice. 

Nothing is more important to me than family.

When I was in 11th grade, 9/11 happened. I knew that our country and our values were being attacked. 

I answered the call to serve our Nation because I believe in fighting for our values.  

As soon as I could, at the age of 17, I convinced my mom to take me to the recruiting center – and enlisted to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

Soon after my completing training, I embarked on my first tour in Iraq. As a logistician, myself along with fellow Marines were charged with critical supply operations for all Marine Forces in Iraq. It was no small task – and my fellow Marines  were counting on me and my team to get it right the first time, everytime.

For my service, I was awarded a medal and a meritorious promotion to leadership.

During my deployment, I developed a love of Information Technology, computers, and logistics which shaped my future career.

I then again answered the call to serve and set out on my second deployment to Iraq. I was in charge and responsible for coordination of critical infrastructure supply transfers to close Camp Fallujah. 

I returned from Iraq and was hired to work at the Defense Intelligence Agency. 

President Obama would soon request a surge in operations as commander in Chief. I was proud to answer the call of duty again. This time, I deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan where I lead a dedicated security team, taking Intelligence analysts all over the region. 

I know how to handle difficult situations when there’s no room for error. No matter the threat, no matter the danger, I know what service and sacrifice looks like. 

I’ve conducted many military funerals, I’ve handed the folded flag to crying mothers and spouses.

Once stateside after serving in Afghanistan, I received my Masters degree from North Carolina State University.

After graduate studies, I went to work for the Intelligence Community. Eventually climbing the ladder of success and being tasked to serve as the White House Situation Room’s technical advisor during President Biden’s term, and was proud to shake the President’s hand after our renovation was completed.

The gravity of the responsibility of our government sets in when you step inside the White House. 

Being in and around the powerful Oval Office and Vice President’s office, saying good morning to both press secretaries as we crossed paths in the hall, or joking with Jon Stewart as he came to celebrate the signing of the PACT Act, or being introduced to President Biden at the end of the project. Shaking his hand made me realize how he really is a man of the people.

Along the way, I met and married the love of my life Jessy who came here from Honduras as a child.

We navigated the confusing, expensive, and stressful immigration process and today, she is a United States Citizen and an Officer in the Texas National Guard.

We own a home in North Richland Hills and we have a beautiful son that is excited to start kindergarten this fall.

Not long ago, before Trump was reelected, I found out my father who is an adherent Trump supporter, had taken down his flag because he didn’t live in a country he could be proud of any more and only Trump could save it.

It awakened in me a deep sadness that everything we fought for, everything we built, all of the progress we as a country have made, are in jeopardy. 

And Trump is proving my fears to be true on a daily basis. Our values are under attack. It’s time for bold action to restore faith in America.

I am answering the call to serve once again and fight for our values.

If you are ready to work for the better America we know is possible — I hope you’ll join me and our team.

Let’s make some history — and preserve it as well.

-Kevin