Mark Thomsen - Fellow

Mark Thomsen enlisted in the U.S. Army because he believed it was his turn to step up to the plate and fight for his country. 

From August 2007 to October 2008, Thomsen was deployed to Sadr City, Iraq, with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. During his deployment, he wore his grandfather’s World War II dog tags. “The best decision I ever made was to join the Army,” he says of his six-years of service.

Following a medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Thomsen learned about the Wounded Warrior Program from his warrior representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He soon applied for a fellowship with Congressman Rick Crawford in Arkansas' first district. He was selected and assigned as a Veterans Case Worker to Arkansas' 1st Congressional District in May 2013.

In a typical day, Thomsen receives numerous phone calls from veterans with various issues. He works to resolve those problems and also participates in veterans and military events within the community on behalf of Congressman Crawford.  

Thomsen’s biggest challenge is getting answers from the various agencies on behalf of veterans, but he finds the work extremely rewarding. He particularly enjoys working with the older WWII veterans.   “They never asked for anything in return for their service but now they really need help," he says. "This fellowship is a great opportunity and I'm enjoying it thoroughly.”