Background
Born and raised in Wappingers Falls, Kieran
Michael Lalor was taught to love his family, his home and his country. He was active from the early going,
playing Little League and Pop Warner, serving as an Altar Boy at
St. Mary’s Church and working as a Poughkeepsie Journal
paperboy.
Kieran’s life has long been one of service to his
community. While working his way through college as a forklift
operator and gas station attendant, Kieran was also an Activity
Coordinator for an after-school program and a teacher’s
assistant helping severely handicapped children at Dutchess
County BOCES. Kieran attended the Virginia Military Institute
and graduated from Providence College. After college, he became
a Social Studies teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in
Poughkeepsie.
Military Service
 When he enlisted in the Marine Corps,
Kieran was the second oldest recruit in his platoon. But that
suited him fine, because Kieran was fulfilling a lifelong dream
of following his father, brother and uncle into the Marine
Corps.
During six years of Marine Corps service, Kieran trained on
Mount
Fuji Japan, led a Fire Team of Marines in NATO training
exercise Operation Battle Griffon in
Trondheim, Norway and worked with Ukrainian Naval
Infantry and Turkish Marines in Non-Combatant Evacuation
Operations and amphibious assault tactics during Operation Sea
Breeze in Odessa, Ukraine.
September 11th
While a member of the Marine Corps Reserve,
Kieran began pursuing another goal and enrolled at Pace
University School of Law. He was about a week into his legal
education on September 11, 2001. That
day was especially trying for Kieran and his family – his
sister, Suzanne, worked on the 92nd Floor of the North Tower of
the World Trade Center, and it wasn’t until that afternoon when
Kieran and his family learned Suzanne was safe. Suzanne was a
few minutes behind schedule that morning and instead of being in
her office when her building was attacked, she was at the foot
of the towers. She was delayed because she was icing and
carrying her sister Meghan’s birthday cake to
bring to a celebration that evening. Because of this
experience, Kieran takes the War On Terror both seriously and
personally.
When Kieran’s infantry unit was called to
active service, he welcomed another chance to serve. The
Marines of his New York based reserve unit spent 2002 training
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina serving as a “ready reaction
force.”
Military Service
In the aftermath of 9/11 Kieran’s Reserve unit was mobilized by the
President for domestic duty as a ready reaction force. The unit was activated a second time and
deployed to Iraq in March 2003. Kieran served as a S.A.W gunner
while conducting security and humanitarian operations in the
Shia city of Nasiriyah, located along the Euphrates River in
southern Iraq.
While in Iraq, Kieran’s unit proactively patrolled the streets, established checkpoints and acted on intelligence to thwart enemy attacks and confiscate insurgent weapons. His unit was relieved by the Italian Army who subscribed to a reactive doctrine of remaining in their compound until an incident occurred and then responding. Sadly, the Italian allies were hit by a suicide attack that killed 19 soldiers two months after they took over the building formerly occupied by Kieran’s unit. This event confirmed Kieran’s belief that victory in the war on terror requires aggressive tactics that take the fight to the enemy.
National Security Activist
When Kieran returned from Iraq he noticed liberals exploiting
the war on terror for political gain.
To
combat this and to promote policies and candidates committed to
victory in the war on terror, Kieran founded the
Eternal
Vigilance Society. The organization draws its name and
spirit from President Thomas Jefferson’s profound belief that
“The Price of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance.”
Under Kieran’s leadership, Eternal Vigilance Society
organized support the troop rallies and sent packages to
overseas military personnel. Kieran published Op-Eds advancing
Eternal Vigilance Society principles in the New York Post,
Washington Times, Poughkeepsie Journal, New York Journal News
and Times-Herald Record. He also appeared on the Fox News
Channel and 770 WABC radio to articulate support for the war in
Iraq and pro-active national security policies.
Katrina
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Kieran – remembering the nation’s support for New York after 9/11 – drove with two Marine buddies to New Orleans with supplies and joined search & rescue teams. For Kieran, it was simply another chance to serve his country in a time of need. Kieran and the other two Marines were awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
The citation of the medal reads in part:
“Corporal Lalor conducted numerous rescue missions by land and water working from dawn until dusk.”
“Corporal Lalor’s initiative and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."
Family Life
Kieran and his wife Mary Jo are graduates
of Pace University School of Law. They live in Peekskill and
have two beautiful baby girls. Katherine Mary was born in July
2006 and Riley Maireid was born in September 2007.
Kieran’s wife Mary Jo is a reading teacher
in Rockland County and the daughter of a 41 year NYPD veteran.
Kieran’s parents continue to call home the house in Wappingers
where they raised Kieran, his three sisters and two brothers.
The Right Leader, at the Right Time
Kieran Michael Lalor is a proven leader who
has demonstrated uncommon devotion to his country and to the
Hudson Valley. With your help,
we can reclaim our seat in the House of Representatives so it
reflects our values.
Associations:
- Marine Corps League, Life Member
- Ancient Order Of Hibernians
- Federalist Society
- Security Police & Fire Professionals Of
America, International Union
- Peekskill Republican Committee, District
Leader
- American Legion
- Veterans Of Foreign Wars, Member
- National Rifle Association Member
- Stephen P. Driscoll Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, Associate Member
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