I Served Under Brandon And He’s The Real Deal
To The Editor:
I had the honor of serving under Brandon Moore when he commanded our Apache Attack Helicopter Troop during our 2019-2020 deployment to Afghanistan.
We were stationed at a small, austere base near the Pakistan border. It was remote, dangerous, and unforgiving. Brandon led more than 70 helicopter pilots, maintenance soldiers, and support personnel in combat operations that often took place in the middle of the night, flying through mountain passes under extreme conditions. The stakes were high: every mission carried enormous risk despite the critical importance of our objectives.
What stood out about Brandon was not just his tactical skill, though he had plenty of that — it was how he led. Brandon led with compassion for his soldiers. He led with humility, never placing himself above the team. And he led with a deep conviction in American values and in the mission to support a democratic government in Afghanistan.
As soldiers under his command, we trusted him with our lives. That is not a figure of speech. We trusted his judgment in the air and on the ground because he earned that trust every single day. He truly believes that leadership is about putting people first.
When I heard that Brandon was running for State Representative here in Connecticut, I was immensely proud. The same qualities that made him an exceptional commander will make him an exceptional public servant and leader in government. If the people of Newtown entrust him with their representation, they will have a leader who understands sacrifice, who has managed enormous responsibility under immense pressure, and who will never forget the people he is serving.
Brandon Moore fought to defend American democracy overseas. I know he will fight just as hard to represent and protect Newtown as your next State Representative.
Jason Ishum
Oxford
Jason, you’re the best. It was the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside you. Thank you so much for kind words and for everything you’ve done for our country!
Thank you for your service and thank you Brandon Moore. I come from a family of veterans that goes back decades. I am grateful for their sacrifice and have advocated for their rights, as an attorney. There is such a divide between the demands of military service and civilian everyday life that many do not appreciate. I watched my oldest brother manage the two cultures.
In the current political climate, I want someone with a long track record of community advocacy that addresses the needs of the Newtown elderly, students, young families, the growing costs of everyday living expenses, gun violence, food insecurity, division amongst groups, long term strategizing for economic development and improvement of quality of life. I have lived in Newtown five years and still do not know all there is to know in order to address the needs of neighbors. Michelle has lived in Newtown for sixteen years and has a record of fighting for the needs of the entire community. At this moment in our existence that is the type of fighter that we need and that is why I am grateful for Brandon Moore’s service but my family and I support Michelle Ku and hope that she will be the State Representative and that Brandon Moore will be involved in moving the needs of the Newtown community forward, with the rest of us learning the needs of the community.