Retired United States Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient Michael Edwin Thornton made a stop in Vicksburg Monday evening for a meeting with the Vicksburg Tea Party group.

Thornton made the visit in support of his friend John Mosley who is running for Mississippi Insurance Commissioner. Thornton has traveled the state with Mosley supporting his longtime friend. Thornton said Mosley’s mission is to protect the little man and help give them a bigger voice.

“He wants to make our lives safer for our families and our kids,” Thornton said. “That’s what he’s trying to stand for and many other things dealing with insurance companies.”

Thornton and Mosley have been friends since 2007 and have been working on a campaign since then.

“It means a great deal to me that my good friend and hero Mr. Thornton is here with us today,” Mosley said during the meeting. “He and I share the same message and hope to share that with you this evening.”

Thornton just came from traveling with former Texas governor Rick Perry preaching what they believe around the country.

“We all have stumbling blocks, but you have to figure out how to get it done,” Thornton said, referring to Perry. “He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk.”

Thornton received the U.S. military’s highest decoration for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal in 1973 for saving the life of his senior officer, Lt. Thomas R. Norris.

Thornton ran through heavy fire to rescue a badly wounded Norris.

He carried his unconscious body to the shore and swam two hours before the same boat that dropped them off in North Vietnam picked them up. Norris would also receive the Medal of Honor in 1976 for an unrelated incident.

During the meeting, Thornton was asked to share some of his stories, but denied the request.

“We have a bunch of people that need to talk. If I started, we would be here all night,” he said with a laugh.

Thornton stressed the United States is the fourth largest economy in the world and bringing in new companies to Mississippi would help lower taxes for everyone involved.

Thornton was very pleased with the meeting and saw great promise in what he took away from it.

“It shows the passion from the people of Mississippi and that they want to make this a better state for everyone,” Thornton said.

“It was all positive. You got to start somewhere.”