Florida congressman-elect and 26-year Navy veteran Scott Franklin wins the state s 16th district, keeping the seat red.
Rep.-elect Scott Franklin, a former naval aviator, appreciates when others thank him for his military service because it s a sign that America has reached a point where veterans are respected.
But the new incoming GOP Florida congressman thinks of himself as the lucky one.
Flying jets from the decks of aircraft carriers was the greatest privilege in my life, Franklin typically says in response.
Spending 26 years in uniform split between active duty in the U.S. Navy and the reserves gave Franklin the satisfaction of fighting for a greater purpose and afforded him the opportunity to experience roughly 60 different countries. He dubbed his overseas missions U.S. appreciation tours because they d remind him just how good Americans have it back home.