Bryan Sanderson

Hometown Hero Bryan Sanderson Veteran Bryan Sanderson joined the US Army in 2001 to carry on a family tradition of service in the armed forces. While on active-duty, he served two tours in Iraq as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. On his second tour, Bryan was selected to serve with several US Marine teams living and working directly with the Iraqi Army to train, advise, assist, and equip them to interoperate with US forces. This initiative was to help prepare the Iraqi Army to take up the mantle of responsibility while retaining capabilities when the US forces departed.

After leaving the active-duty military in 2010, Bryan joined the National Guard and continued to serve until 2013. During this time, he finished his degree and attended a Law Enforcement Academy with the intention of preparing himself for a civilian career. Bryan applied to several other career paths and accepted a position with a large corporation. He relocated to a large city for this position and while he enjoyed his career, he didn’t like the locality. After his peers from an office in the Shenandoah region talked so highly of it, Bryan knew he needed to make a change. He took a different position and relocated in 2016. Shortly after his move, he adopted two dogs and bought his home—finally settling down in a place he loves.

Today, Bryan is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). By working with these outreach charities, he found and began working with several other charities, non-profits, churches, and government programs who all collaborate to help members of the community on a wide variety of issues including heath, finance, transportation, family, homelessness, among several others. Bryan says being able to work with and for so many exceptional people has truly been a blessing.

Branch Partner, Michelle Nuckols from our Staunton, VA branch was honored to present Bryan with his award.