WHO IS SAM BROWN? THE ARMY VET PICKED BY TRUMP TO LEAD THE VA
To many, Army Veteran Sam Brown is much more than a businessman or a politician—he’s a hero. Yet, if you ask the former Nevada Senate candidate, he was simply doing his duty. Although his bid to represent the Silver State didn’t work out, it looks like Brown’s political trajectory will still end up in Washington D.C., now that Donald Trump is aiming to have the Vet as the Head of Cemetery and Memorial Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Is Sam Brown a Republican or Democrat?
Sam Brown is a Republican politician who ran for Senate both in 2022 and 2024 while in Nevada. Although Brown earned the Republican nomination in 2024, he wasn’t able to overcome a narrow defeat to Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen.
Before moving to Nevada, Brown was a businessman working to get his feet wet in Texas as a Republican politician after serving in the U.S. Army between 2006 and 2011.
Capt. Sam Brown's Military Service
Joining the military was a desire, Brown always had; however, after the attacks on 9/11, it was enough to inspire him to make the dream a reality.
A year later, Brown’s military career began after being accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he would graduate and be commissioned as an infantry officer.
Brown served for years, joining the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Hood, and in 2008 while deploying to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as an Infantry Platoon Leader, an improvised explosive device (IED) would change his military career forever.
An IED in Afghanistan
During a mission supporting the Kajaki Dam project, Sam Brown and his fellow Soldiers were wounded by an IED while aiding another unit under attack.
The attack occurred four months into his deployment when another platoon was ambushed and needed help.
Sadly, a roadside bomb would blow up the fuel tank of Brown’s vehicle, which led to his body becoming covered in diesel and then flames.
Fortunately, Brown’s gunner was able to save his life by putting out the flames before he died.
However, Brown would still sustain significant injuries, leading to a long recovery, physical rehab, and a medical retirement from the Army as Captain with a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge
“I’m neither a victim nor a hero in my own life story. I believe that I was simply doing my duty to serve my country,” said Brown.
Sam Brown Chosen by Trump for Secretary for Memorial Affairs
Following his exit from the military, Brown ended up meeting the love of his life, studying at Southern Methodist University (SMU) for his MBA, and went to work for Amazon as a manager before creating a small business providing emergency pharmaceutical support for Vets who didn’t receive enough benefits through the VA.
Between his own personal experience and those gained working with Veterans in healthcare, it’s safe to say that Brown has a unique understanding of how the VA operates.
President-elect Donald Trump sees this potential and is leaning on Brown’s expertise to serve as the head of cemetery and memorial affairs for the VA. It’s one of the highest positions within the VA.
As of this writing, Ronald Walters holds the position of acting Secretary for Memorial Affairs, who took over after Matthew Quinn left the role in May 2024.
Should Brown be confirmed, he would be in charge of helping with less of the healthcare side of things and focusing on acquisition and expansion efforts for memorial services, such as the online Veterans Legacy Memorial project.
Sam Brown will still have to undergo a Senate confirmation hearing before it’s official and it’s likely going to be after Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
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