A retired Air Force officer has a retired Army officer to thank for his becoming politically involved.

"I was sitting in a fireworks booth with retired Army Maj. Gen. John Hemphill when he told me I should run for a position on the school board," recalled Dick Muri."He said I had a way with people, of listening to them and then helping them."

That discussion happened in 1997, and since then Muri has served in a number of local elected positions, including his current position as a Pierce County Councilmember for the past six years.

The oldest of six children, he learned the values of hard work and self-reliance from his parents.  That said, he also pointed out that at time he was a bit too energetic.

"I could be all velocity and no vector at times," said Muri of his teenage years.

After graduation from college in 1975, Muri was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force.  Not long after, he earned his navigator wings and went on to serve as a crewmember on the C-141 Starlifter. During his service, Muri served in the Gulf War from 1990-1991 as deputy commander of the 628th Military Airlift Support Squadron at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

From 1992-1997, he was the chief of quality management for McChord AFB, directing a program that garnered national and state awards.

"In the military there are solid values, discipline and a strong sense of patriotism," Muri said. "These qualities in me were sharpened and enhanced through my 22 years of service to this country."

He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1997.

Currently Muri, a Republican, is campaigning to represent the 9th Congressional District of Washington in the House of Representatives.  His opponent is incumbent Adam Smith, a Democrat.

Muri thinks he has a good chance in the upcoming elections. He believes the time has come for Congress to be fiscally responsible, open, honest and held accountable for its actions.

"We need a Congressman who really believes in these qualities," said Muri.

To that end, he is committed to listening to those he seeks to represent, a habit, which he said was honed through his work in the military.