Pachyderm Luncheon with Tom Brewer

Tom Brewer (born August 6, 1958) is an Oglala Lakota retired U.S. Army colonel, veteran, and former Nebraska state senator. He represented Nebraska’s 43rd Legislative District (a large rural western district) as a Republican from 2017 to January 2025.

Brewer served 36 years in the Army, including six tours in Afghanistan, and was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He grew up near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in western Nebraska and enlisted after high school.

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Brewer has been a strong advocate for the country. He has made multiple trips (at least nine or ten as of 2026) to Ukraine — including to frontline areas — to deliver humanitarian aid and supplies, assist with training, document conditions, and gather firsthand information to share with U.S. lawmakers as a “pipeline” for assessing needs and aid effectiveness. His visits have taken him closer to active combat zones than most other U.S. elected officials.

He continues this work post-legislature as a private citizen focused on supporting Ukraine’s defense of democracy.