When the Republican National Convention begins next week, a Tampa-area Marine will have a prominent role.

Kat Gates-Skipper of Lake Wales has been invited to speak at the convention.

  • Kat Gates-Skipper is 1st female Marine to fight in Desert Storm
  • She is now chairwoman of Veterans for Trump
  • Gates-Skipper invited to speak at GOP convention in Cleveland

“They said, 'We’d like you to speak at the convention,' and I said, 'Who, me?' ” Gates-Skipper said. “I’m just a plain Jane, you know. They said, 'That’s what we want.”

Gates-Skipper was the first female U.S. Marine in Desert Storm’s combat operations. Next Monday, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, she will speak to thousands about “Making America Safe Again.” She's excited about the opportunity to advocate for veterans.

“I’m so blown away,” Gates-Skipper said. “I’m still kind of pinching myself and saying, 'Am I dreaming?”

Gates-Skipper is the chairwoman of Veterans for Trump.

And although she’s used to speaking in front of crowds, the GOP convention will be the largest crowd she has ever addressed.

Gates-Skipper said she has finished writing her speech. A RNC coach will help her practice her delivery.

She said everyone will have to wait until 10:45 p.m. Monday to hear what she wrote.