Good Citizens of Fayetteville,

I am Freddie de la Cruz, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, family man, local business owner, and the North Carolina House District 44 candidate with integrity and a strong work ethic, who knows how to get things done. I am committed to serving and protecting Christian values, the Constitution, parental rights, and, most importantly, safeguarding our children's and grandchildren's education, health, safety, and security for their future.

I’m a Conservative, Capitalist, Constitutionalist, and Bible-believing Christian. Born as an Army Brat in Nanakuli, Hawaii, in 1962, I am the 7th of 9 children and the son of a retired Soldier who proudly served in Korea and completed two tours in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and another Bronze Star with a “V” device for his courage and bravery. We traveled the country during most of my elementary years until we settled in Cumberland County in 1975. I attended Spring Lake Jr. High, Pine Forest Senior High, and am an alumnus of Fayetteville Technical Community College. After two years as an enlisted Army Light-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, I enrolled in the Army’s Green to Gold program at Campbell University, where I graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

In 1983, I married my best friend, Venus Recod de la Cruz. She is a graduate of Reid Ross High School and an Army brat, the daughter of a retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major and Vietnam veteran. We have been married for over 41 years and are blessed with six children and 15 grandchildren.

Between my father, two brothers, and me, we have served a combined total of over 111 years in the U.S. Army. I served for more than 32 years, with over 28 years as a Military Police Officer, more than five years in a combat zone, and two years in Korea.

I'd like to highlight a few of my military assignments and experiences that demonstrate why I am fully qualified to be your State Representative. I served in more than 20 different roles and worked with 12 foreign militaries, conducting both training and real-world operations. I culminated my Army career with the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals, and a total of 48 medals, ribbons, and badges.

As a Military Police Battalion Commander, I commanded the largest MP Battalion in Iraq, consisting of nine MP companies and over 1,700 Soldiers and civilians across 17 different Forward Operating Bases and Patrol Bases, covering 55,000 square miles of Northern Iraq during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 09-11. I provided command leadership, daily guidance, and mentorship for 76 Police Transition Teams, four Brigade Combat Teams, and the 25th Infantry Division command group and staff. I personally conducted hundreds of combat patrols, traveling to every location throughout the vast battle space of four Northern Provinces, ensuring my Soldiers were supported and mission-ready. I also oversaw the Relief in Place of 13 MP companies, ensuring incoming units were fully prepared to assume the mission upon Transfer of Authority.

I served as a Diplomat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Senior Security Advisor for the Office of the Program Manager - Saudi Arabian National Guard and for the Saudi Arabian Royal Guard Presidency’s Secret Service for over three years. I was consistently sought after by senior Military Police leaders for input on mission planning and execution.

I also served as a Brigade Deputy Commanding Officer, revising Standard Operating Procedures, directing staff actions, establishing an Officer Professional Development Program, and supervising the Brigade’s Command Inspection Program. I successfully managed a budget of over $4.5 million and optimized the operational management of the Command Group and staff.

As Deputy Director of Training and Exercises for the Eighth Army in South Korea, I planned and wrote operational orders for over ten major training exercises in Korea and Japan. I spearheaded the planning of the first combined, joint Republic of Korea and United States Live Fire and Maneuver Exercise in 2015, attended by the President of South Korea. With limited time, I identified key planners, established timelines, and ensured the success of this major event.

In my final role as Deputy Provost Marshal for United States Army Pacific Command, I managed law enforcement, physical security, detention and corrections, biometrics/forensics, and criminal intelligence operations. I helped deter and defeat criminal and terrorist threats against Army and DoD personnel on Oahu, Hawaii.

After a successful Army career beginning on September 26, 1986, I retired on December 31, 2018, at United States Army Pacific Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

These experiences qualify me as a battle-tested, proven leader who understands how to solve problems. I will do what is right. As a family man, former Army officer, diplomat, and businessman, I have a proven record as an accountable leader with integrity and the ability to get things done efficiently.

Again, I am serving to protect Christian values, the Constitution, parental rights, and, most importantly, the education, health, safety, and security of our children and grandchildren.

Venus and I are now ready to serve the citizens of Fayetteville.

Finally, I ask that you please support and contribute to my campaign.

Thank you in advance for your support. God Bless America, and I pray for the citizens of Fayetteville.