When the 12 day war broke out in the Middle East, I was already on my way out of Iraq.
I had just landed in Kuwait when the missiles started flying.
I was given the option: to leave the country and come back to the U.S.
I didn’t. My friends and my country needed me.
As airspace shut down and the region moved closer to full-scale war, I turned around and fought my way back into Iraq. I went straight to a colonel and asked to stay. When that wasn’t enough, I found another way.
Because when Americans are in danger, you don’t run from the fight — you move toward it.
A week later, the war ended.
Our base was not attacked.
Not because the threat wasn’t real — but because our enemies believed that if they touched any Americans, the response would be overwhelming.
That’s peace through strength.
Not a slogan. A fact.
I’m Captain Mike Bouchard — Iraq veteran, Army Paratrooper, Bronze Star recipient — and I’m running for Congress because America needs leaders who don’t hesitate when it matters.
Washington has plenty of people who talk tough when it’s easy and disappear when it’s hard.
I’m not one of them.
If you believe strength keeps the peace — and weakness invites chaos — I’m asking you to stand with me.
