Marine Corps veteran Lee Him is finally addressing the void that came when he left active duty two decades ago. Through Travis Manion Foundation (TMF)’s Spartan Leadership Program, a 7-month journey of self-development, Lee has once again found purpose, connection, and a new way to serve his community. 

When Lee left war-torn Cambodia at just eight years old, the sight of U.S. Marines on the ground ignited something deep within him, a spark of purpose, discipline, and hope. Years later, that spark led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he discovered the fulfillment and identity that came from wearing the uniform and serving alongside his brothers and sisters in arms. 

But after leaving active duty in 1999, Lee felt something was missing. For years, he searched for meaning beyond his service, a sense of belonging that extended into civilian life. 

In 2024, Lee learned about TMF when he signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon. At the event, surrounded by other veterans and families of the fallen, he was reminded what true connection and shared mission felt like. 

Others who ran alongside him at MCM encouraged him to apply to the 7-month Spartan Leadership Program. A few months later, his application was accepted and he began the life-changing journey. Throughout the course of the program, Lee was able to fill the void he was experiencing with camaraderie, connection, and a renewed passion to serve.“ Being guided toward SLP showed me there was a path forward, one built on service, connection, and becoming a better version of myself,” says Lee. 

Through the Spartan Leadership Program, Lee has found the clarity and connection he had been seeking for years. SLP challenged Lee to look inward, reflect deeply, and lead differently. “I’ve learned to embrace vulnerability as a strength, not something to hide behind a tough exterior,” he shared. “I can be strong and open at the same time,” Lee reflects. “Sharing my story doesn’t diminish my leadership — it amplifies it.” 

The lessons Lee gained through SLP are showing up everywhere — with his family, in his professional life, and through his community service. Whether mentoring fellow veterans, parenting his daughter Sadie, or volunteering at youth events, Lee now leads with empathy and intentionality. “SLP has helped me evolve from someone who led with strategy alone to someone who leads with heart, story, and connection,” he said. “It’s making a huge difference, not just in how I lead, but in how I live.”

Lee graduated from the Spartan Leadership Program in November 2025, and is now gearing up for his Community Impact Project (CIP). CIPs are an integral way that program participants apply their passions to create meaningful change in communities across the country.

For his CIP, Lee is launching Legacy Links Tribute Round: Four for the Fallen, a small, intentional golf experience designed to honor a fallen hero through storytelling, reflection, and shared action. The natural rhythm of golf creates space for quiet conversation and meaningful connection, allowing participants to engage with TMF Honor Cards, guided prompts, and a moment of silence to reflect on the hero’s values and how they can embody them in their own lives. The goal isn’t simply to play a round, it’s to leave the course changed, carrying forward one concrete commitment to lead with courage, humility, and service. While rooted in intimate, personal impact, Lee envisions a model that can grow sustainably, engaging more communities while preserving the depth and intentionality that make the experience transformative. 

Lee is channeling his renewed sense of mission into creating spaces where others can lead authentically and feel seen. Through TMF, he hopes to foster communities centered on reflection, vulnerability, and shared leadership, especially among veterans and youth. “SLP hasn’t just helped me grow, it’s helped me remember who I am and who I’m becoming. I’m no longer searching for a new purpose,” he said. “I’m rediscovering the one I’ve always had: uplifting others, building community, and leaving behind something that helps others rise.”