Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard officially kicked off her presidential campaign today in Waikiki.

A major in the Army National Guard, Gabbard, 37, did two tours of duty in the Middle East before being elected to Congress in 2012, experience she drew on during her speech.

“These powerful politicians dishonor the sacrifices made by every one of my brothers and sisters in uniform and their families, as they are the ones who pay the price of these wars,” she said. “In fact, every American pays the price for these wars that cost us trillions of dollars since 9/11.”