#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Leslie Franklin

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Leslie Franklin. Leslie served from April 1961 to 1963 during the Vietnam War.

After being diagnosed with Hepatitis C, Leslie received a life-saving liver transplant at the Portland, Oregon, VA Medical Center in April 2008. He participated in the 2014 and 2016 Transplant Games of America to increase awareness about the need and benefits of organ donation. Leslie competed in the 20k cycling event, earned a bronze medal in the 5K run/walk and won the silver medal in basketball. He competed in the 2017 World Transplant Games in Spain and was awarded an honorary gold medal in the 100 meter dash.

Leslie graduated from the UCLA School of Law and worked as a consultant for the California State legislature and Los Angeles County before retiring in 2003. He has three children and three grandchildren. Leslie has shared his story with other Veterans and participated in an awareness campaign with the VA in 2016 and 2017 to encourage testing and treatment. He currently serves on the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for the local school board and as an ambassador for Donate Life California and the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Thank you for your service, Leslie!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Gavin Fukawa: Gavin Fukawa is a Political Science and International Affairs Major with a Japanese and Environmental Science Minor at Wake Forest University.