As far as he can see sitting in the second row of the chairs in ballroom in the Sheraton Hotel, Kevin Furey is the only veteran of the Iraq war. When a speaker asks how many veterans in the room are going to run for state legislature, Furey is one of few who raises his hand.

In front of Furey, an older man wears a dark blue hat vested with military pins. Behind him sits a woman with a Navy sweatshirt, and in the seats to his right several men wear formal army uniforms. All of these veterans are part of the “Veterans for Kerry” cause that Democrats are promoting to the public.

The attendees at the caucus are looking for ways to rally and contact other veterans around the U.S.

As part of the youngest generation of veterans at the Veteran’s Caucus Wednesday afternoon, 21-year-old Furey joined a group that wants to make veteran issues an essential part of the democratic platform. Furey, who joined the Montana delegation in June to learn more about the democratic process, stayed at Northeastern with the other delegates.

During the day, delegates, media and other Democratic National Convention guests attended caucuses in which business policies, issues and methods to rally the public were discussed. The different caucuses were held in designated areas around Boston, primarily in the Sheraton Hotel and Hynes Convention Center.

But the word caucus, by definition, does not give recognition to the energy and intensity of those attending one.

At the Veteran caucus, Teresa Heinz Kerry, made a surprise appearance, which excited the crowd. Behind Furey, one man yelled out repeatedly “Hola Teresa. We love you Teresa.”

After she spoke, Heinz Kerry introduced Sen. Max Cleland, a debilitated Vietnam war veteran who was received with a standing ovation. On stage, Heinz Kerry hugged and kissed Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm in battle.

Furey said he has a lot of respect for Cleland, who sacrificed so much for his country. Furey said he hopes, as a delegate, he can help to promote all veterans in a positive light.

“Veterans are proud to be democrats … we want to make sure they are a very large part of this election,” Furey said.

As an army reservist having served in Iraq from April to November 2003, Furey said he did not expect to become a veteran in the middle of college. He will be a junior at the University of Montana as a political science and environmental studies major.

The military helps to provide Furey with financial assistance he said many college students living in rural areas of Montana need.

As a state with a strong focus on agriculture, the Montana rural vote is an important issue for these delegates. Later in the afternoon, Furey and at least five other Montana delegates attended the Rural caucus held in the Sheraton Hotel.

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin spoke to the room filled with representatives from rural areas about ways to bring the voice of rural America together.

In the same hotel, other delegates attend the Native American caucus. Seven percent of Montana’s population is Native American. Three of the state’s 21 delegates are Native American.

Darrell LaMere, one of the Native American Montana delegates, brought up the issue of establishing sovereignty for every tribal unit within the United States. LaMere, at his second convention, and his brother Frank, a member of the Nebraska delegation, are both part of the Winnebago tribe.

LaMere ran for a delegation position in June during Montana’s state presidential nominating convention. LaMere said the delegates are gender balanced and the 21 voting slots are based on Montana’s population.

“Politics affects every one of us,” LaMere said. “I would rather influence change than be affected by change.”

Around 4 p.m. Wednesday, delegates headed to the FleetCenter for the early speakers. The Montana delegates were seated to the right of the stage in the bleacher seating.

Assigning specific names to Montana’s reserved seating was Carol Juneau, the vice chair of the Democratic Party in Montana, a Native American from the Mandan Hidatse tribe and part of Montana’s state legislature.

Although this was her third convention, Juneau says she still gets excited every night.

“That first evening when you just walk in … with crowds … you begin to feel a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm,” she said.

Juneau said the convention provides a great opportunity to meet and interact with fellow democrats who are supporting the same cause.

The Montana delegates chatted about the various caucuses and other experiences of the day, since most of them have not seen each other since breakfast in West Village.

As the night progressed, the convention seats became filled to capacity with the media and delegates.

Being such a young member of the delegation at the convention, Furey said he is amazed to be where he is.

“It’s been sort of surreal … I just keep thinking of how lucky I am,” he said.