A press release from the McHenry County Republican Party:

MCGOP brings retired NFL Star and Elite Special Forces Veteran for Leadership Dinner

The McHenry County Republican Party is holding its annual Lincoln Leadership Dinner on February 6th at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn at 6 PM.

All are invited to attend but space is limited and we are sure to sell out as in past years. Ticket info below.

We are proud to announce several amazing speakers for this year’s event.

We have retired NFL star Jim “RoboCop” Thorton.

Jim’s 8 year NFL career was spent with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and the Huston Oilers.

While with the bears Jim was awarded the prestigious Brian Piccolo award.

The award is given to one rookie and one veteran per season who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.

Jim will be sharing his philosophy on what it takes to overcome obstacles to achieve big dreams.

Our keynote speaker is a truly amazing man, Master Sergeant Tu Lam.

He has served over 22 years in the Army, 18 of them with Special Forces.

During those 2 decades of service Tu was assigned to the world’s most premier anti-terrorist unit, First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D).

He has served around the globe, protecting and defending America and our ideals.

Tu has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 2-Meritorious Service Medals, 3-Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, along with many other unit and personal citations.

He graduated with honors from American Military University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Intelligence.

Mr. Lam currently lives in Colorado with his wife Ruthie.

Tu’s story for the last 22 years is amazing by itself, but when you couple it with how he came to America from Vietnam as a young boy it becomes unreal.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam in 1974, Tu’s family struggled and fought to survive the brutalities of the North Vietnamese under Saigon’s failed communist regime.

In 1979, after the North Vietnamese murdered some of his family, Tu and surviving family members escaped on an over loaded boat with other fleeing refugees.

By way of several countries and much hardship he arrived in America.

Tu will be sharing lessons on leadership and how an indomitable spirit can lift someone to great heights despite their beginning point.

Tu believes that America’s best days are ahead and by leading from the front we can and will continue to be the most blessed nation on earth.

We believe that the words of Tu’s story of triumph and victory over adversity can be a hand-hold by which others may also pull themselves to new heights.

Please join the McHenry County Republican Party February 6th for an evening that is sure to elevate your heart and your mind.

Ticket information is available at mchenrycountyrepublicans.org.

Or call Mickey Schuch @ 815.690.0248

Several sponsorship opportunities are still available.