⁣Matt Strickland, a veteran from Virginia, returns to Hearts of Oak to share his journey of challenging COVID mandates for his restaurant despite facing legal battles and political persecution. He discusses running for office against corrupt politicians and the challenges faced during the primary election, emphasizing the battle for freedom and justice in Virginia. Matt highlights the need for more veterans to join the fight for national values and freedoms, advocating for grassroots movements and citizen involvement in pushing back against oppressive mandates and corrupt systems. His determination serves as a call to action for others to stand up for their beliefs and fight for freedom and justice in their communities and beyond. At the age of 17, Matt Strickland joined the United States Army to escape the gang violence of the neighbourhoods where he was raised. Inspired by his grandfather, who served as an Infantryman under General Patton in World War II, Matt enlisted in the Army in 2001. After completing basic and advanced training, Matt received orders to his first duty station, 25th Infantry, at Ft. Lewis, WA. He reported to 25th Infantry on September 10th, 2001, not knowing the next day, life as we once knew it would change forever. Matt knew he had a full life ahead of him, but he was ready to give it up in defence of his country. Matt spent most of the next ten years in Iraq & Afghanistan defending his country. Matt’s service to his country includes multiple deployments as a private military contractor as well, serving on Blackwater’s Counter Assault Team until 2010 when he decided to accept a position as an Intelligence Analyst back in Virginia. In 2014, when ISIS began sweeping through Iraq, Matt could not sit back and watch, so he deployed once again to join the fight against The Islamic State. In 2016, after fighting ISIS for two years, Matt hung up his combat boots. The previous two years allowed Matt to reflect on the legacy outside of combat that he wanted to leave for his children. Cooking has always been one of Matt’s hobbies and biggest passions, and owning a restaurant was always his ultimate goal. Matt opened his first food truck in 2016 which quickly became a success, and he and his wife, grew from one truck to three trucks in just over a year. Two years later he sold the food trucks and opened the doors to the restaurant version, and it continued to grow in success. Everything was great until 2020 when the government began using the Coronavirus as an excuse to control society. Matt continued to open without restrictions, regardless of the consequences, he and his wife opposed the unconstitutional mandates and the restaurant was filled with Patriots from open to close. Despite numerous threats and attempts to shut them down by the state and federal government, he remained open and stood with the people. The Attorney General of Virginia sued Matt in an attempt to shut their doors, but he won, restoring his hope for the country’s future. Through his fight against the tyrannical government, Matt realised there was a void in Virginia politics and that catalyst sparked his interest in running for State Senate and with him being a fifth-generation Virginian, his state and his country mean everything to him. Connect with Matt... WEBSITE mattforva.com X/TWITTER twitter.com/mattforva Interview recorded 7.5.24 Connect with Hearts of Oak... X/TWITTER twitter.com/HeartsofOakUK WEBSITE heartsofoak.org/ PODCASTS heartsofoak.podbean.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA heartsofoak.org/connect/ SHOP heartsofoak.org/shop/