Track Palin

Track Palin is the oldest son of former Alaska Governor and former Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin and champion snowmachine racer Todd Palin. Track was born on April 20, 1989. He was 19 years old when his mother, Sarah Palin, was chosen as John McCain's vice-presidential running mate in 2008 on the Republican ticket. Track is part Yup'ik, a native Alaskan Eskimo tribe, on his father's side.

Track Palin

Track Palin -
Son of Sarah Palin

Track graduated from high school in 2007. Where did Track get his unusual name? His grandfather, Charles Heath, was an avid track fan and coach. Hence, the name "Track!"

Track Palin - Hockey player

Track Palin went to school at Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska, the home of Sarah Palin. In 2004, when Sarah Palin was considering running for one of Alaska's US Senate positions, she decided against it at Track's request. He didn't think she could be the "Team Mom" if she was away in Washington DC! Track became an All-Alaska hockey star.

Hockey is a huge sport in Alaska, just as basketball or football is in the lower 48 states. It is very common for the parents of promising young hockey players to send their children to training programs in other states. The students live with their teammates and go to local high school, while playing on the team and hoping to get noticed by college recruiters.

In 2006, Track's senior year of high school and the same year his mother was elected governor, he went to just such a program in Portage, Michigan to play for AAA hockey team nXi Hockey. According to the NY Times, Steve Lowe, the director of the program, " ...liked that Track, a forward, was extremely focused and aggressive on the ice. If he could manage his temper a little and improve his shooting, the boy could have gone all the way."

Track Palin was very popular with his teammates, but was often ejected from the game due to his temper, including once in Michigan. Track's hockey dreams were ended though after injuring his shoulder while playing in Michigan. After the season ended in March, 2007, he returned to Wasilla and finished his high school career there. After having shoulder surgery, Track was offered a spot with the Anchorage Avalanche, Alaska's pro hockey team, to play with the other high school graduates. Track turned the position down though in the summer, saying that his shoulder was not healed. A few months later, he made a big announcement, he was going into the Army.

Track Palin - US Army

Track Palin

Track Palin

On September 11, 2007, the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Track Palin joined the US Army to serve and protect his country. On September 18, 2007, Track left Alaska to go to Fort Benning, Georgia for basic training. At the time, his mother, Sarah Palin, was quoted as saying, "I support my son's independence, and I am proud of his decision because he made it for the right reasons -- to serve his country."

Track has been mostly a private person, in spite of his mother's public image. The only public statement he has made about his decision to join the army was, "Joining the military is something I've been considering for a while now. I've always been competitive and look forward to the challenges that will come as I answer the call and serve my country."

Track Palin during Sarah Palin's biggest moment

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin

Track Palin's mother, Sarah Palin, became the first female governor of Alaska on December 4, 2006. On August 29, 2008, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain announced that Sarah Palin would be his vice-presidential running mate. This was a huge moment in the lives of every member of the Palin family. Track went with his mother and other family members to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul during the last week of August.

Sarah Palin's nomination energized the Republican party because of her likeable, down to earth personality. An energized Republican party naturally threatened opposing parties and Sarah and her family, including Track, came under intense scrutiny and criticism by the national media. Pray for Track and his family that they will not be discouraged or disheartened by this intense media coverage.

Track Palin - Off to Iraq

Track Palin

Track Palin

On September 11, 2008, Track's brigade was deployed for a one year mission to the Middle East. He belonged to the Fort Wainwright 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, a division of 4,000 soldiers, also known as the "Arctic Wolves." Sarah Palin delivered a sendoff speech for the division at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. When he left, Track requested that he not receive treatment different than any other soldiers in his division as a result of his mother's unique position and his commanding officers said he would not receive any special treatment. You can watch Sarah Palin's speech to the troops here.

Based on public reports, Track went to Diyala, Iraq, where he began as a driver for a Stryker vehicle and was eventually promoted to "air guard," which means standing in the hatch of the vehicle with a rifle and watching out for threats to the vehicle. His unit also provided security for the brigade's top officers. Colonel Burt Thompson, who commanded the Arctic Wolves, said that as a mother, Sarah Palin was in frequent communication with the brigade through email and that she received weekly brigade updates in the form of a newsletter. She was also the official Brigade Mom. Col. Thompson was quoted in usnews.com, saying, "...We know Governor Palin very well, trust me. We get her E-mails and she gets ours. She has sent us some very nice E-mails." He adds, "Listen, she's been to every deployment ceremony, she visits units in Alaska, and she really cares about the military. And all that was even before she decided to run for vice president." Track is now an Iraqi War veteran and is enrolled in the Alaska National Guard.

Track Palin and Britta Hanson

Track Palin and
Britta Hanson

Track and Britta Palin

After returning from Iraq, Track Palin rekindled his romance with high school sweetheart Britta Hanson. They were married in May, 2011 at Hatcher Pass in the Talkeetna Mountains near their home town of Wasilla. Track was 22 and Britta was 21 at the time of their marriage. Britta is a nursing student at the University of Alaska and Track plans to enroll there in 2011 as well.

Track is working hard to learn the ropes of his father's fishing business and hopes to one day take over. Todd Palin owns the top fishing site on Alaska's beautiful Bristol Bay.

On August 7, 2011, Track and Britta welcomed Kyla Grace Palin into their household. Kyle is the second grandchild of Sarah Palin and Todd Palin.

Read about Track Palin's family:

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Sarah Palin Biography

Sarah Palin

Read about Sarah Palin's upbringing in Alaska, her start in politics on the Wasilla town council and her eventual rise to Governor of Alaska.

"Sarah Palin was born Sarah Louise Heath in Sandpoint, Idaho on February 11, 1964. She was the third of four children born to Charles and Sally Heath, a science and track teacher and a secretary. When Sarah was just an infant, Charles moved the family to Alaska to enjoy the great outdoors..."

Sarah Palin Biography

Sarah Palin's book
Going Rogue

Sarah Palin's autobiography describing her upbringing in the state of Alaska, her earliest political endeavors as councilwoman and mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, her rise to Governor and nomination for the vice-presidency. Learn the intimate details that earned her reputation as a maverick and caused her to be noticed by the McCain campaign as well as the inside story behind the campaign.

More about Going Rogue here!

Sarah Palin's 2nd book
America By Heart

Sarah Palin's second book, America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag, rose to #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list in its second week of publication. Sarah shares her favorite stories, quotes and vignettes from American historical figures and relates the inspiring stories of regular people she met on her travels across America.

More about America By Heart here!

One Nation Bus Tour visits Reagan home and Lincoln Museum

Sarah Palin's "One Nation" bus tour was back on the road this weekend. This time, she traveled across the Midwest, where she learned about past U.S. presidents - and reacted to developing news about the 2012 presidential race...

Read Palin's weekend road trip across the Midwest

Alex Moe, msnbc.msn.com

McCain: Palin would be "formidable" in 2012

Speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," John McCain says...

"Sarah Palin has not solicited his advice on running for president - but he says she would make a "very formidable" challenger if she did jump into the race..."

McCain: Palin would be "formidable" in 2012

CBS News, wtsp.com, August 29, 2011

Sarah Palin #34 on Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women List

Sarah Palin makes #34 on Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women, beating out Diane Sawyer, Queen Elizabeth and Nancy Pelosi, but falling behind Hillary Clinton, Michele Bachmann and Michelle Obama?

Forbes' List of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women

Commentary on The World's 100 Most Powerful Women

Caroline Howard, Forbes, August 24 2011

Sarah Palin, Polar Bears, Endangered Species List

THIS IS AN OP-ED WRITTEN BY SARAH PALIN IN THE NEW YORK TIMES. In it she shares her opinion that polar bears should NOT be added to the endangered species list and shares her reasons why. Note that this piece was written 8 months BEFORE Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain's running mate and gained national attention.

"ABOUT the closest most Americans will ever get to a polar bear are those cute, cuddly animated images that smiled at us while dancing around, pitching soft drinks on TV and movie screens this holiday season. This is unfortunate..."

Sarah Palin on Polar Bears and Endangered Species List

Sarah Palin, New York Times, January 5, 2008

Eight Reasons Sarah Palin should run and 8 reasons she shouldn't

"Iowa GOP politics watchers hashed over reasons why, from a political strategy point of view, a Sarah Palin campaign could work - or might fall flat..."

Eight reasons why Palin should run. Eight reasons why she shouldn't

Jennifer Jacobs, Des Moines Register, August 28, 2011

Track and Britta Palin welcome a son!

"Sarah Palin has become a grandmother again, Track Palin, her oldest child, and his wife, Britta, welcomed a baby girl named Kyla Grace Palin on Sunday night. The high school sweethearts were married in May..."

Track Palin & Wife Britta Welcome a Girl

Liz Raftery, People, August 8, 2008

Speculation Continues About Palin's Political Future

"I think we are seeing a great awakening of the American public, the individual Americans who want the exceptional-ism put back into our country." - Sarah Palin.

Speculation Continues About Palin's Political Future

Jim Malone, Voice of America, August 30, 2011

Sarah Palin more respected than Al Gore

"One is a former vice presidential candidate who has been vilified in much of the press. The other is a former two-term vice president who has been celebrated in much of the press. So which is more respected by the public..."

Who is more respected, Sarah Palin or Al Gore?

Byron York, Washington Examiner, December 20, 2009

Track Gets Married!

"Sarah Palin's eldest son, Track, 22, recently married his high school sweetheart, Britta Hanson, 21, in a small ceremony in Hatcher Pass, Alaska. The Hansons and Palins tell PEOPLE in a joint statement, 'These are two hard working, humble, active, studious young adults who grew up together. We're tickled that after two decades of friendship we proudly witnessed their marriage, knowing their new life together will be blessed...'"

Track Gets Married!

Lorenzo Benet and Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, People, May 19, 2011

Bristol Palin's reality show

"Footage taken of Palin, son Tripp and co-star Kyle Massey on their new BIO channel reality show features the trio in a number of Los Angeles-area locales. They go in and out of a baby supply store..."

Huffingtonpost

When is Bristol Palin's Reality Show

Twitter When will Bristol Palin's new reality tv show air? She tweeted on August 21:

"@hailes0910 @simplyorganicT I'm hearing Nov. or Dec."

Go to Bristol Palin's Tweets

Not Afraid of Life

Not Afraid Of Life by Bristol Palin

From the Publisher of Bristol Palin's New Book:

"The oldest daughter of Sarah Palin and single mother goes beyond the headlines, offering readers an inside look at her life, her world, and the things that matter most, including her family and the faith that keeps her centered. When her mother became the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate in 2008, Bristol Palin was instantly propelled into the national spotlight, becoming the focus of intense public and national media scrutiny at the age of seventeen."

More about Not Afraid of Life here!

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