Posted on 01/12/2006 9:05:57 PM PST by SandRat
Arizona Rep. Jonathan Paton will make his mark on state — and military — history today when he graduates from Army intelligence school at Fort Huachuca.
It's thought to be the first time a sitting state legislator has completed training at the military intelligence center 75 miles southeast of Tucson. "You only get so many chances to serve in life, and I've been given two," said Paton, 34, an Army reservist and rookie Republican lawmaker who represents Tucson's East Side and parts of Cochise and Santa Cruz counties. Paton, a second lieutenant, was called to active duty in June. He has spent the time since undergoing basic officer training at Fort Benning, Ga., followed by military intelligence training in Southern Arizona.
Barrett Marson, spokesman for the Republican leadership in the state House of Representatives, said staffers who have worked at the state Capitol for decades can't recall any other case in which an active state lawmaker graduated from Fort Huachuca.
Between salutes, Paton said he has tried to squeeze in as much constituency work as possible, helping those who elected him sort out problems that required state attention.
Juggling those demands "has been extremely difficult the past few months," he said in an interview Wednesday.
One might think he would be glad to see it end. But Paton feels a sense of wistfulness — similar to what some soldiers report when they return from war and separate from combat buddies. "There's a lot of sadness in saying goodbye to the people I've served with for the last six months," he said. "A lot of them are already being assigned to units in Iraq." Paton also is deployable now, but said he has not heard anything about the possibility of being sent overseas. "I'm in the same situation as a lot of my constituents," said Paton, whose heavily Republican District 30 has plenty of military voters. It encompasses the city of Sierra Vista, which borders Fort Huachuca, as well as the retired veterans' haven of Green Valley, and areas such as Vail and Rita Ranch southeast of Tucson, home to many service members from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Paton said he plans to use his military background to promote better understanding of Arizona's defense complex at the Capitol. Several legislators are expected to attend his graduation today, and the guest speaker at the ceremony is Arizona House Speaker Jim Weiers.
Paton faces a primary race in September against three fellow Republicans, incumbent Rep. Marian McClure of Tucson and Sierra Vista residents David Gowan and Francis Callegari.
I'm glad he's giving back, but a "sense of wistfulness — similar to what some soldiers report when they return from war and separate from combat buddies". Give me a break. Dude, you've been to school, not combat.
Is he a Freeper?
I don't think so.
Spiff or DL, do either of you know?
Well said.
I emailed him directly and sent him the link to this thread. I also welcomed him to MI.
Well done!
Well grounded candidate. BZ
No. He's not.
I attended his graduation today.
Can a sitting Representative also double-dip as a commissioned officer?
Someone take a look at Article 1, Section 6, Paragraph 2 of the US Constitution, and correct me if I'm wrong.
That would apply to a US Congress critter. This guy is a State Rep.
Ah.
Enlightenment.
All misty eyed, Huachuca was my all time favorite.
One hand clapping, Grasshopper.
Not a Freeper, but a GREAT guy and a great legislator. Uncovered some irregularities in some departments. Forced Butch to fire some of her buds.
Nuff said.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.