War veteran wants to 'continue to try to help people' as lawyer

U.S. Marine Major Douglas Lehtinen has been helping Vietnam war veterans through a University of Miami law clinic

MIAMI – Major Douglas Lehtinen is an Operation Iraqi Freedom war veteran.

Lehtinen enlisted as a U.S. Marine reservist in 1997. He studied English Literature at the University of Miami. And in 2004, the U.S. Marine Corps first lieutenant received his "wings of gold," which designated him a naval flight officer.

Recommended Videos



Lehtinen has flown F/A-18 Hornet fighter planes in South Carolina and has taught  as a professional development professor at the U.S. Naval Academy. Lehtinen is now a second-year student at the University of Miami School of Law, and is helping South Florida's disabled war veterans.

"I got into law with the idea that is one area which you can potentially make a big difference in people's lives," Lehtinen, 37, said. "You can affect society in a real positive way … I want to find a place where I believe I can do that.

"I don't exactly know where that is yet."

Lehtinen, who is Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's stepson, is married to Lindsay Nelson and has three daughters. His father Dexter Lehtinen, a Miami lawyer, was an Army reconnaissance platoon ranger and was injured in Vietnam.

TOP 10 LINKS

VETERANS DAY | Amputee helps others stay fit

VETERANS DAY | VA chief announces firings

VETERANS DAY | 5 ways to honor war veterans

VETERANS DAY |  Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brozak's opinion

VETERANS DAY | Miami Beach parade

VETERANS DAY | Wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier

VETERANS DAY | Events in South Florida

VETERANS DAY | Forgotten veterans of WWI

VETERANS DAY | Remembering WWII tail gunner

VETERANS  DAY | Wreaths laid at WWII Memorial