Mike Stinfer, Warsaw, was recently selected from applicants across the country to represent the veterans of Indiana. Stinfer, a former Marine and an Army Ranger sniper, will travel to Washington, D.C., to serve as an inaugural Veterans of Foreign Wars – Student Veterans of America Legislative Fellow in March. He is one of 10 veterans picked to work with lawmakers to bring vision and voice their concerns with policy that affects veterans, according to Stinfer’s announcement. “I’m honored to be selected to represent our Indiana veterans, especially those from the 2nd and 3rd Congressional districts. Their voice has been silent far too long,” Stinfer said in his announcement. “I would not have been able to accept this appointment without our community that continues to humble me daily. Whether it’s by the spirit of a Guadalcanal combat Marine, who on his 6th try launched a successful business, or the determination of a maverick CEO like Dane Miller that pushed the envelope to advance humanity through medical devices. A common trait we all have is to never surrender, not even in our darkest days,” Stinfer said. Stinfer participated in combat operations in Iraq. In October he was awarded an honorable discharge after completing 15 years of service. He said he decided to apply for the fellowship after learning of the failures and lack of leadership in oversight from the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Veterans’ Affairs Healthcare System, which claimed more than 500 veteran lives from 2010-2014, his announcement states. Stinfer stated, “It’s unacceptable, there is no other way to put it. I wouldn’t have been able to look myself in the mirror if I didn’t try to do something, knowing what was happening to us (Veterans). I look forward to influence by demonstrating true, conservative Christ-like leadership. This is something that’s clearly lacking in Congress and D.C. in general.”
