A powerhouse crowd of military leaders, veterans, families of fallen heroes, inspired civilians, and corporate partners gathered on December 6 to celebrate our nation’s character and the men and women strengthening it through Travis Manion Foundation.

Comedian and Marine Lt. Col. Rob Riggle (Ret.) emceed the evening – stoking the Army-Navy rivalry ahead of the teams’ face-off that weekend and presenting veterans, youth, and community partners with awards for their commitment to the “If Not Me, Then Who…” cause.

TMF was honored to recognize Wounded Warrior Project for the 2018 Community Leadership Award, accepted by Gen. Michael Linnington, CEO of WWP.

Samantha Schneider, a senior at Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, AZ, received the Character Does Matter Scholarship. Samantha, a participant in TMF’s Character & Leadership Courses, leads her classmates in service projects in honor of fallen heroes. Her mentor, Ben Alexander,  a Marine veteran and police officer with the Mesa Police Department, nominated Sam for the scholarship.

TMF also honored two Navy veterans with the “If Not Me, Then Who…” Award: Jimmy White, a Character Does Matter mentor from Philadelphia, and Christopher Hixon, the athletic director at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who was posthumously awarded for his selflessness, leadership, and stewardship of teens. Thomas Hixon, Christopher’s son, accepted the award on his father’s behalf.

Distinguished guests Gen. Stanley McChrystal, US Army, and Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer both delivered speeches, inspiring audiences to continue supporting America’s troops, veterans, and families of the fallen.