Veterans Team Up to Serve Asheville Community

Military veterans from Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) and RTX collaborated to complete campus improvements at Johnston Elementary School on Saturday, November 8. 

During this dedicated day of service, 18 volunteers helped improve various areas throughout the school’s campus, including its pollinator garden, playground area, outdoor STEAM area, and interior spaces. This work, made possible through generous support from RTX, is a continuation of a project started in July.  

“Our partners at RTX are committed not only to their communities, but to the veterans in their workforce. We are honored to collaborate with them to complete this work at Johnston Elementary School,” said Travis Manion Foundation CEO Ryan Manion. “Empowering the next generation of leaders is central to the mission of Travis Manion Foundation, and the projects that volunteers completed will support young leaders at Johnston Elementary School.” 

“The volunteers from TMF and RTX continue to amaze me with their professionalism, efficiency, and true spirit of collaboration. I’m deeply inspired by how motivated this incredible group of veterans is to give back to our deserving students. The work they completed during their two days of service will leave a lasting impact on Johnston Elementary and on the hearts of our Mighty Bears for years to come,” said Principal Angie Trantham.  

“Asheville is home to hundreds of Pratt & Whitney employees, many of whom are veterans or military-connected families themselves,” said Kristy Becerra, senior director, Corporate Social Responsibility at RTX. “We recognize that service is a lifelong commitment that reaches far beyond military duty. Partnering with the Travis Manion Foundation allows us to continue to serve together and make a meaningful difference for our veterans, our community and partners Buncombe County School District and Johnston Elementary.”

In 2025, Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) acquired The Mission Continues, bringing two best-in-class organizations together to provide more opportunities for veterans to find community, lead, and serve. Support from RTX is driving the expanded organization’s continued growth in Asheville and communities nationwide, empowering veterans to come together through service and address pressing needs in their communities. 

About Travis Manion Foundation

Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) unites communities to strengthen America's national character by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop and lead future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation.