When Max Yashirin first arrived at Al Asad Airfield, the second largest U.S. airbase in Iraq, it was 3 a.m. The helicopter he was riding in was bobbing up and down and making him nauseated. When Yashirin asked what was going on, the pilot replied they were trying to evade enemy fire.
"We landed, and the pilot yelled, 'Go! Go! Go!'" Yashirin said. "And we ran. It was pitch black outside."
Yashirin, a former sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Now back in the United States, the 25-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student has announced his candidacy for Congress.
"I've always felt a duty to serve," Yashirin said, who joined the Marines in 2001. "Young people have to be involved in something greater than themselves."
Yashirin said he decided to run for Congress because he felt politicians in Washington no longer adequately represented middle-class America.
"He's got a lot of enthusiasm," said Eric van Horn, the Democratic Party's field organizer for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. "I'm really excited that someone, especially in our generation, has stepped up to take the lead for our party and our state."
While in Iraq, Yashirin worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. He fixed damaged vehicles and drove equipment convoys transporting materials including fuel, Hummers and refrigerators.
"The closest I can describe the weather is: Put on your hat, your coat, your mittens; turn on an oven to 200 degrees, throw in some sand, scorpions and camel spiders," Yashirin said. "That's Iraq weather."
Yashirin said he felt his military service gives him "baseline knowledge about the war."
"I'd go back," Yashirin said, "but I believe I can serve Nebraska better in this way."
Yashirin said he wanted to end the occupation of Iraq, adding that the money spent on the war should be spent to help Americans instead. He also advocated better education for young veterans as well as screening them for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other ailments.
"We're fighting a war, and we can't even take care of our vets," Yashirin said.
He has a personal investment in the Iraq war: His brother Nick is now serving there.
"I see how worried my parents are," Yashirn said. "When I was over there, I couldn't see that."
He vowed to take a stand for young Americans all over the world, a group whom he feels are underrepresented.
"No one takes us into account," Yashirin said. "I don't think it's fair. We need to have a say."
He plans on using alternative media, such as Facebook and YouTube, to spread his campaign to young people. However, this already has had unforeseen consequences.
Members of the Nebraska Republican Party registered the domain www.maxyashirin.com, which is under maintenance, and used it to post pictures of Yashirin drinking beer and smoking. The pictures were taken from the social networking site Facebook.
"It just shows they're already doing a smear campaign," Yashirin said, pointing out he wasn't doing anything illegal. "These Republican shenanigans mean they're taking me seriously."
Yashirin is trying to strike a balance between his campaign and his schooling. He hopes to graduate this summer with a degree in international business with minors in Russian and economics.
Yashirin also works part time at Region V Services, where he helps mentally challenged people with everyday tasks.
"He's been here for over a year," said Dave Merrill, the executive director of Region V Services. "He helps provide in-home support and he does a great job."
Yashirin said he felt the country needed to "clean house." The comment was in reference to both the Republican incumbent Jeff Fortenberry and the U.S. Congress itself.
Yashirin said America's priorities are "screwed up." He felt his most important platform issue was the health of Nebraska children.
"We have 34,000 children without health insurance," Yashirin said. "For me, that's just appalling."
adamtempleton@dailynebraskan.com
