SWFL Vietnam veteran votes for president for first time after becoming citizen

Reporter: Zach Oliveri Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Vietnam veteran Alain Beaudoin. Credit: WINK News.

A Vietnam Veteran voted for president for the first time.

Originally from Canada, U.S. Navy veteran Alain Beaudoin became a U.S. citizen in 2016 on Election Day. He then went on to participate in the 2018 midterms. And he was able to make his voice heard for the first time during a presidential election year.

We went with Beaudoin to vote Thursday, a day filled with pride for him and his family

“I’m very, very proud of it,” Beaudoin said. “And I hope my man wins. I’ll be prouder.”

A Navy veteran who fought in Vietnam, his passions are burned right into his arm.

“I’m French-Canadian. American. Navy. My life,” Beaudoin said.

For more than 40 years after he wore a U.S. Navy uniform, Beaudoin had never applied to be an American citizen. Now, he is, and he cast a ballot for president.

“It feels great,” Beaudoin said. “Feels like I’m part of the USA.”

When Beaudoin and his daughter went inside to cast his ballot, he earned a heroes welcome.

“Everyone clapped and everything, and, of course, I bowed, thanked them. They didn’t sing me happy birthday or anything,” Beaudoin said.

Voting with her father was something Jennifer Beaudoin always dreamed of.

“It was hell or high water to get him here to vote for the first time and have this milestone in his life and have me witness it, and I got to vote with him alongside him, and that was awesome,” Jennifer said.

Beaudoin shared a straight forward message to everyone, encouraging them to vote.

“Go vote, or shut up,” Beaudoin said. “If you don’t like it, change it. That’s what it’s there for.”

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