ALASKA
DAN SULLIVAN
U.S. Senator | Anchorage, Alaska
Future U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps began in 1993 when he enlisted as an infantry officer after graduating from Georgetown with a law degree and a master’s in foreign service.
He was on active duty until 1997 before transitioning to the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve. During that time, he was recalled to active duty three times: from 2004 to 2006, again in early 2009, and for a six-week tour in Afghanistan in July 2013. He retired from the Reserve in 2024 with the rank of Colonel.
Sullivan’s exemplary service is best explained by Gen. John Abizaid, commander of the U.S. Central Command when Sullivan was in active service. In a letter of recommendation, Gen. Abizaid wrote: “If I had the chance to pick one Marine to stand next to me on any battlefield it would be Dan Sullivan.”
When Sullivan first ran for the U.S. Senate from Alaska in 2014, the Anchorage Daily News described him as “a tough-talking Marine with a killer resume” that included roles as a White House Fellow and Alaska’s attorney general.
Since his election in 2015 and throughout Sullivan’s political career, his top priority, influenced by his Marine service, has been to protect the Alaskans he serves -- their physical safety, financial well-being, and individual rights. Sullivan serves on four committees vital to Alaska: commerce, science and transportation; armed services; environment and public works; and veterans affairs.
Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Sullivan served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and implemented policies related to international energy, economic, trade, finance, transportation, telecommunications, and Arctic issues.
“It’s not so much a single experience from my time in service that impacted my writing but rather the confidence and experience of stepping out of my comfort zone that gave me the confidence to try writing a book, along with the grit to put in the long days that go along with writing a book while working full time and pursuing my doctorate in education.”
sarah gray
Children's Book Author & Special Education Teacher | Salcha Alaska
Sarah Gray served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years in the early 2000s, deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. When she left the Marine Corps, Gray knew that she could share the values she learned during her service with future generations.
“The Marine Corps taught me about work ethic and to continuously work to better myself,” said Gray. “After I got out of the military, I began a career in education, which led to inspiration for my book.”
Gray began writing children’s books as a way to teach children social skills. In June 2024, she published her book, “Millie the Moose Blurts,” which uses humor and animals to teach children strategies to avoid blurting.
Gray currently works as a special education and physical education teacher in Alaska, where she lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and seven chickens. In an interview with the VA’s Center for Women Veterans Book Corner in 2024, Gray remarked that she spends her free time reading, working on a doctorate in special education, or being outside and seeing what Alaska has to offer.