Jason Thornhill - Marine, Patriot, Republican - Key Club Member

With Veteran’s Day reminding us about the service and sacrifices made by our armed forces, we were pleased to hear from Jason Thornhill of Stamford, the newest member of our Key Club.

The 27-year-old Thornhill is Maine Corporal Thornhill, a member of the Inactive Ready Reserves and a veteran of the Iraq war, someone who was with the “tip of the spear” forces, which saw front line action in Baghdad, Tikrit, and along the Iranian, Kuwait and Syrian borders.

Thornhill was a Rifleman/Scout with Delta Company, 3rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion, assessing the battlefield before allied troops were deployed. They often engaged the enemy in limited exchanges but were clearly in charge of paving the way for the many military successes of the conflict.

Like most veterans, Thornhill talks little of his combat service and doesn’t think what he did was anything more than his duty and a calling.

“It’s about pride in the mission, in knowing what were doing was good and serving with brace men and women in uniform,” Thornhill said. “It shapes you. It was a great experience.”

Thornhill grew up in Stamford, graduated from Stamford High School in 1998 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2000. He was send to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Paris Island for the Corps 13 week intense boot camp. Thornhill then reported to Camp Geiger for 6 weeks of Infantry School for basic infantry training. Thornhill then reported to the Marine Corps Air Combat Center for assignment with the 3rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion as a rifleman/scout.

He was deployed to Camp Schwab Okinawa, Japan serving on the camp guard force. Thornhill returned from deployment and later that same year Delta Company, 3rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion prepared for the invasion of Iraq. The battalion was attached to the 1st Marine Division for combat operations. While on duty in Iraq, Thornhill was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

His awards are as follows; the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2)

Thornhill is currently working in private security while attending Norwalk Community College with the goal of entering a career in law enforcement. And he intends to stay active in veteran’s affairs, supporting programs that provide job training to veterans and promoting health care services to soldiers who return from active duty.

He also intends to support the Republican Party and stay active, and that is why he became a member of the party’s Key Club.

“As one of our most famous Republicans the late former President Ronald Regan said, “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." Thornhill said.