May Manliness-Captain Michael J. White DVM!

May Manliness continues! Today we've selected Captain Michael J. White DVM... Here's what his mom said in his nomination:

Dear Anna, I would like to nominate my amazing son Captain Michael J White DVM. He is 32 years old. He was second in his class at Staples HS in Westport. He went on to the University of Virginia as an Echols scholar (top 5%). He did a stint in banking for a year but hated it. After we put our wonderful golden retriever down in 2006 he realized that sometimes the kindest thing you can do for a family and their four pawed puppy is helping with end of life. Before that he didn't think he could be a veterinarian. He took two years to do his prerequisites and then got into Kansas State Veterinarian school on his first try. At the beginning of his second year he applied for the Army scholarship, because he is foremost patriotic and always wanted to serve but also needed financial help with the 55 thousand a year tuition. He got a three year scholarship from the Army They chose 17 out of 430 applicants. He became active duty in May 2015. He has been in Afghanistan since October taking care of the working dogs and food safety.

That bio does not even touch on the amazing person he is. He has finished 2 Ironman races. In his first try in 2010 in St George Utah, he almost drowned from hypothermia, during the 2 mile swim when he became delirious from the unseasonably cold water. He was embarrassed and devastated but went back a year later and finished the race.

He has always been a joyful, thoughtful, loving son. He is the one who lightens the mood, gives hugs, sends handwritten cards, calls often, and made my daughter and I Thom's shoes featuring our dogs. He is a pretty good artist too!!