SACRAMENTO (June 22, 2011) - Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) today honored Shawn Bainbridge, Scott Grant and Kenneth Tyler as the 2011 Veterans of the Year for the 2nd Assembly District during a special lunch at the State Capitol. All three honorees are currently serving as Officer Helicopter Pilots in the California Highway Patrol in Shasta County.

"This year I selected three superb servicemen as veterans of the year," said Nielsen. "I chose the three because of their common experiences as California Highway Patrolmen. All exemplify the traits and values of the American soldier. They have nobly applied these traits to their post military careers in the CHP and also as family men and citizens."

Shawn Bainbridge is a Chief Warrant Officer Two and member of the United States Army National Guard. He served as a helicopter pilot flying Chinook helicopters in support of the U.S. Air Force in Northern Iraq during the operation and he assisted Special Forces units searching for the upper echelon leadership of the Iraq Government and engaged in re-supply missions for ground units.

Scott Grant served as a flight medic in Operation Desert Storm and flew throughout Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. He flew UH-1 helicopters and performed medical evacuations of wounded soldiers and enemy combatants. He later deployed to Afghanistan as an airplane pilot and performed troop transports, medical evacuations, VIP transportations and other missions as required. Grant was granted an Air Medal Award and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.

Kenneth Tyler distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight as a Flight Nurse in support of Operation Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The courage exhibited by Captain Tyler resulted in the successful evacuation of combat casualties from multiple medical facilities within Afghanistan and Iraq. He provided in-flight medical care to 224 critically wounded patients during 22 combat missions on C-17 and C-130 airframes under hazardous conditions.

Before the luncheon Nielsen had the pleasure of giving a tour of the Capitol to two of the three veteran honorees accompanied by their family.

See attached pictures of the honorees.