Combat Veterans For Congress-----Embedded Integrity 

The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is re-endorsing the 86th Combat Veteran For Congress to run for his old seat; he is a fiscally conservative candidate who will work to reduce the national debt, and will focus on reining in the out of control spending by Congress and the Obama Administration.  He will continue to work toward unleashing the private sector to grow once again, create jobs, stimulate private sector business investment, and will continue to work to rein in the out of control spending by the Obama Administration.  Congressman Kerry Bentivolio SFC-MI-ANG resides in Milford, Michigan, is a 27 year veteran of the US Army and the Michigan Army National Guard; he served in combat in the Vietnam and the Iraq Wars.  

Cong Bentivolio completed one term in Congress before his re-election bid, and is seeking re-election; he was a member of the Congressional Committees on Small Business and on Oversight & Government Reform.  Cong Bentivolio was defeated in his re-election bid by Cong Dave Trott (R-MI-11) and running against him.  Cong Trott who is the known as the Foreclosure King, having built up a financial empire by foreclosing on 80,000 homes in one year  (including the homes of 6,000 Veterans).  FEC and State Election Commission Reports documented that Trott donated heavily to members of Congress, local, and state elected officials to obtain their endorsements to run against Cong Bentivolio.  Cong Trott voted to fund Planned Parenthood, the Syrian Refugee Program, the Unconstitutional TPP Fast Track Trade Bill, and he repeatedly voted to increase the national debt limit.  In the Constitutional ratings Cong Trott scored 3% above Senator Harry Reid at 33%.  Congressman Bentivolio scored 85%. 

Kerry was born on October 6, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan and was raised in his youth with his four brothers in Detroit.  His father worked manufacturing and served in the US Army in the European Theatre during WWII, his grandfather served in the US Army in the European Theatre during WWI.  Kerry completed high school at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and then served in Vietnam as an infantry rifleman.  Kerry attended Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills, Michigan and received an Associate of Arts Degree in June 1989.  After two years at Oakland Community College Kerry transferred to Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, and matriculated there for 3 years.  Kerry subsequently returned to complete his college education at Saint Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, MI and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science in June 1999.   Kerry continued his studies part time, and entered Marygrove College in Detroit, MI to in June 2000 he obtained a Master’s of Education Degree, with 5 majors for teaching.  He is a Michigan licensed and certified vocational and general secondary education teacher specializing in general and vocational education and emotionally impaired and taught two classes a year of Special Education for emotionally impaired and struggling learners.  According to official records he was rated by the State and School as “highly qualified.”

Kerry was sworn in as a PVT at Fort Knox, Kentucky on November 6, 1968, and went through Boot Camp; he completed Boot Camp in February 1969.  Promoted out of basic training, PFC Bentivolio was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Division where he went through additional training as an infantry rifleman in preparation for deployment to Vietnam.  In August 3, 1970, CPL Bentivoliodeployed to Bien Hoa, Vietnam, where he was assigned to man a combat gun jeep; they were assigned to provide convoy security duty and was promoted SGT at age 18.  In May 1971, he was transferred to the 3rd Ordnance Battalion in Long Bien, Vietnam as a munitions clerk.  In August 3, 1971, SGT Bentivolioreturned to CONUS, was given an early out, and was Honorably Discharged from the US Army.  His military awards for combat duty in Vietnam included the Army Achievement Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Combat Infantry Badge, various Vietnam Campaign Medals, and various Service Medals.  

In 1974, SGT Bentivolio joined the Michigan Army National Guard and was assigned as a Gun Chief in the 119th Artillery Battalion; he served for one year.   In 1990, SGT Bentivolio was again sworn in to the Michigan Army National Guard and was assigned to the 177th Military Police Battalion; in 1994 he transferred to the 182nd Field Artillery Battalion as a Crew Chief.  In 1994, SGT Bentivolio was promoted to Staff Sargent and in 1996 SSG Bentivolio was assigned as an Artillery Instructor at the Michigan Army Reserve Training Center, at Fort Custer, Augusta, MI; in 1997 he was promoted to Sargent First Class.  SFC Bentivolio returned to the 182nd Field Artillery Battalion in 1998.  

In February 2007, SFC Bentivolio deployed to Talill, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; his unit was involved in escort duty for Combat Convoy Operations.  In October 2007, SFC Bentivolio was injured in a non-combat accident, and was MEDEVAC to Fort Knox, Kentucky by way of Rheine-Main, Air Base, Germany for medical recovery from a neck injury.  In October 2008, SFC Bentivoliowas Honorably Discharged from active duty and was eventually medically retired from the Michigan Army National Guard in 2009.  His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 4 Army Achievement Medals, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, various Vietnam and Iraqi Campaign Medals, and various Service Medals.

In 1975, Kerry started work in the auto industry at American Motors Corporation as an automotive detailer (draftsman).  In 1977, he transferred to the Ford Motor Company, and in 1979 he transferred to General Motors Corporation, he became a Project Design Engineer and remained there until 1992.  From 1988 to 1992 Kerry worked evenings and weekends building a construction company, but was unsuccessful in that endeavor.  From 1992 on, he was employed as an independent designer for the automotive industry.  Kerry also started a successful reindeer business in 1992; his trained reindeer performed in over 600 Christmas Chamber of Commerce and other parades, over 200 Park and Recreation Department Tree Lighting ceremonies, and more than 200 private parties. It became a successful part-time business for more than 20 years.  Kerry Bentivolio became a certified vocational and general education teacher who taught adult education from 1997 to 2000, taught at Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac, MI from 2000-2005, and taught at Fowlerville Community -School from 2005 until 2011.  

In 2010 Kerry ran for the Michigan Senate for the 15th District, but was defeated by Mike Kowall in the primary.   In 2012, after completing the school year Kerry resigned his teaching assignment after winning  the GOP primary for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District for the US House of Representatives, so he could focus full time on his general election to the US House of Representatives.  He was previously considered a long shot, but won the primary election for the Republican nomination and won in the general election.  Since leaving public office Cong Kerry has enjoyed serving as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol, working on a Wreaths Across America program, training dogs for veterans with PTSD and assisting constituents with VA issues.   On the private side he is completing some much needed repairs on his small hobby farm, building up the farm’s apiary and performing maintenance on the farm’s 1 acre vineyard

Cong Bentivolio is a life member of the VFW, a member of the AMVETS, the American Legion, the Military Order of Saint Barbara, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), and the NRA.  Cong Bentivolio has been endorsed by the National Right to Life, the Right to Life Michigan, the NRA, Gun Owners of America, Republican Liberty Caucus, State GOP Committeeman Dave Agema, several local Tea Party Organizations, Young Americans for Liberty PAC, and the Combat Veterans For Congress PAC.  Cong Bentivolio has been married to his wife, Karen who is a Registered Nurse and University of Michigan graduate, for 38 years; he has two adult children, Kristin Lee age 35 and Kevin age 31, and 4 grandchildren.   Cong Bentivolio and his wife are active members of the Oak Point & Bell Creek Christian Church in Novi and Livonia, Michigan.   
The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is pleased to endorse Cong Kerry Bentivolio, SFC-MI-ANG who will continue to bring to the US House of Representatives legislative skills and wisdom to better solve problems in government and represent the State of Michigan.  If you review Cong Bentivolio’s positions on his Web site, you would be pleased with his stands; they agree with the Combat Veterans For Congress Mission Statement.  We look forward to working with Cong Bentivolio, and are pleased that a Combat Veteran of his caliber is running for re-election to the US House.  If you have friends, associates, or relatives who know voters in Michigan, kindly pass this E-mail on to them, and ask them to support Cong Bentivolio by working in his campaign, providing financial support for his campaign in any amount, and/or by networking with others who would be willing to support his campaign.  The military is one of the few remaining institutions producing the caliber of men and women needed to restore this nation to the greatness our Founding Fathers envisioned.  We have endorsed another Combat Veteran For Congress that General George Washington would have approved of.  He is a Veteran who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount “up to and including his life.”