Community Corner
Get to Know Keynote Speaker for Fairfield's Memorial Day Parade
Lt. Col. Tom Armas, Combat Veteran of Iraq War and Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Protecting President Clinton
Editor's note: The following information on the keynote speaker for Fairfield's Memorial Day Parade on Monday was forwarded by Town Clerk Betsy Browne, secretary of the Memorial Day Parade Committee.
Lt. Col. Tom Armas graduated Northeastern University in 1992 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended recruit training at Paris Island in South Carolina.
In 1994 he received his commission and attended Officer Basic training and Infantry Officers training in Quantico, Va.
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In 1995 he joined 1st Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. There he served as a rifle platoon commander, company executive officer, heavy weapons platoon commander, and Aide de Camp to the Commanding General Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
In 1998 he left active duty and joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves, Fox Company 1Bn 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine division Albany, N.Y.
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From 1999 to 2008, Tom was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. He had assignments in the New York Field Office, New Haven Resident Office and President William Jefferson Clinton Protective Detail.
In his civilian occupation, Tom is currently head of Executive Protection for The New York Life Insurance Company.
Lt. Col. Armas' current reserve billet is as the Logistics officer for 25th Marine Regiment 4th Marine Division Ft. Devans, Mass.
Lt. Col. Armas' combat tours include 2004 and 2005 to Iraq with the Joint Inter-Agency Coordination Group, conducting counter terrorism operations, inter-agency operations and hostage recovery operations. In 2008 he deployed for a third time to Iraq as Company Commander Fox company 1Bn 25th Marine Regiment II Marine Expeditionary Force in Al Anbar Province.
Lt. Col. Armas' personal awards include Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Overseas Service, Sea Service Deployment, National Defense Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. He also has been awarded the United States Secret Service Medal of Valor.
Lt. Col. Armas currently resides in Fairfield, CT with his wife Danielle and their three children Austin, Tiger, and Brooke.
Submitted by Town Clerk Betsy Browne, secretary of Fairfield's Memorial Day Parade Committee
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