War Hero Tammy Duckworth to Headline Montana Democratic Party’s Annual Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner

Helena, Mont. – The Montana Democratic Party will welcome leading veterans advocate Tammy Duckworth as keynote speaker at the 2011 Mansfield-Metcalf dinner on March 12th.

Duckworth has dedicated her life to public service and defending veterans’ rights ever since serving as a Blackhawk combat helicopter pilot in Iraq, where she was wounded in action during a rocket attack. As a result of the attack, Duckworth lost both of her legs and partial use of one arm. She was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

“We are honored to welcome Tammy Duckworth to Montana,” said Ted Dick, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Our country and our state are looking for public figures that unite, rather than divide us during difficult times. Tammy’s story is as an inspiration not just to the many veterans who live in our state, but to all Montanans.”

Since her recovery, Duckworth has served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and testified several times before Congress on medical care and employment issues for veterans. In 2007 she received the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award and was named the 2008 Disabled Veteran of the Year by the Disabled American Veterans.

The Montana Democratic Party has held the Mansfield-Metcalf dinner for the last 32 years. The dinner commemorates the leadership and public service of the late Montana Senators Mike Mansfield and Lee Metcalf. Tickets are $50 a piece and can be purchased online at this link: http://www.montanademocrats.org/mm11