NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Veteran Cassidy Nolan, a 26-year-old Napa Valley Community College (NVC) student, was honored Wednesday in the State Capitol as the 2016 Veteran of the Year for the Fourth Assembly District.

Each year, the state Assembly honors one veteran from each of the state’s Assembly Districts who has significantly contributed to their local communities and served their country with honor and distinction.

“I’m humbled to receive this recognition, and I’d like to thank Assemblymember Dodd for honoring me as his Veteran of the Year,” said Nolan. “It was a privilege to be recognized along with veterans of all different generations from across California. This was a special day that highlighted the contributions of veterans.”

Cassidy Nolan joined the military immediately after graduating high school in 2008, enlisting in the Marine Corps.

He served two deployments in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2013 as Senior Intelligence Analyst and later as Intelligence Chief and Assistant Security Manger.

During his service, Nolan received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. After completing his service in July of 2013 with the rank of E-4 Corporal, Nolan enrolled at NVC to study business management.

“I’m honored to recognize the service and character of Cassidy Nolan as my district’s Veteran of the Year,” said Assemblymember Bill Dodd. “As we look ahead toward our Independence Day it’s important to honor veterans like Nolan who have protected this nation and are now supporting other veterans as they return home.”

At NVC Nolan became president of their Student Veterans Organization in 2013. As president he acts as an ambassador between veterans and the college, and as a veteran he understands the difficulties and challenges that fellow veterans face when leaving the military.

He provides outreach, college assistance, scholarships and other financial support for veterans attending NVC.

In his three years as president, Nolan has been instrumental in the transition and development of a new version of a Pathway Home in Yountville which helps empowered veterans through education and adequate medical treatment.

Looking to the future, Nolan has plans to transfer to UC Berkeley to finish his studies in business management.

When Nolan is not advocating on behalf of veterans or pursuing his education, he spends time with his wife and two little girls.

The Fourth Assembly District includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake and Colusa counties. You can learn more about the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .