VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Air Force veteran Maurice Hawkins and retired Navy Master Chief Susan Hippen are Chicago bound and they are very excited.
"I am stoked," said Hippen.
Both veterans will serve as delegates at the Democratic National Convention representing Virginia's second congressional district.
"It's just an extraordinary opportunity, one that so many members of my party and this part of the Commonwealth trusted me to represent their interests and values in Chicago," Hawkins said.
Hawkins feels honored to be able to cast his vote on the convention floor for the first woman of color to be nominated for a U.S. presidential election, Kamala Harris. He praises her move to the top of the democratic ticket.
Hippen says she could not sit on the sidelines for an election she believes is so important to health of the country. The fight for several issues is drawing her to the political process: "Stability in the economy, protecting our veterans, protecting those who are less fortunate than I am; education, women's health."
As veterans, they take offense to the attacks on Harris' VP pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over his military service.
"I think that the attacks on Governor Walz are unjust. I think there has been a robust response from the people who know his record, who support his record and his character," remarked Hawkins.
"Sometimes there are bigger things that call us and his calling was serving in Congress and he did a lot for this nation," added Hippen.
Hippen and Hawkins submitted their interest in being delegates during their district democratic convention in May. Other delegates voted for the duo to represent them in Chicago. They'll join a 119-member Virginia delegation.