Military / Veteran Advocates

Darden Smith has been called one of the most respected American musicians working today. As a songwriter, he has spent most of his life thinking “There’s a song here somewhere.” His motto is “Write Songs. Tell Stories. Move People.” As a typical civilian, Darden Smith had a lot of misperceptions about what it meant to serve in the military. That was before he was booked to perform at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for a group of service members just returned [...]

“Freedom” is the latest release from multiple New York Times bestselling author Sebastian Junger.  He has also produced several documentaries including the Academy Award nominated documentary “Restrepo”.  In my opinion, Sebastian is one of the most insightful translators of the nature of the human condition I have ever read. Photo Credit: Peter Foley He chose the topic because “Freedom is one of the few things that people are willing to die for. It’s a core human value.”  “Freedom” [...]

Bo Derek wasn’t on our list of celebrities to interview regarding their support of Veterans. As it turns out, I didn’t know Bo. Many of her family members served in the military; her father was a radio operator on a B-29 during the Korean War. Her stepfather served as a Green Beret in Vietnam and her ex-husband was also a Veteran. However, it was a chance encounter with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi that really got Bo engaged. [...]

Sgt. Will Gardner was a labor of love for Max Martini. An accomplished actor, he has played military roles in many films including “13 Hours”, “The Great Raid”, “Captain Phillips” and the TV Series “The Unit”. While Max has relatives who served in the military and law enforcement, it wasn’t until his role in "Saving Private Ryan" that he was inspired to create a calling for himself to help Veterans. He feels that “Saving Private Ryan” was key to allowing [...]

British born actor Matthew Marsden has 38 films/television series to his credit and has played military characters many times. But it was an encounter with an Army Ranger during the filming of “Blackhawk Down” that inspired his commitment to supporting those who serve. Matthew Marsden Matthew asked the Ranger why he joined to which the young Ranger responded “For Freedom.”  Matthew then asked “You’d die for me wouldn’t you?” To which the Ranger responded “Yes sir”.   This experience [...]

The Reagan Legacy Foundation was created by Michael Reagan and his wife in order to advance the causes that his father, President Ronald Reagan, held dear and to memorialize the accomplishments of his presidency. He was inspired by a conversation he had in the hospital with his sister Maureen just before she passed – she asked him to consider doing something to carry on their father’s legacy. The Walkway to Victory campaign kicked off on in June with the objective [...]

Lee Greenwood has had over two dozen songs on the billboard charts and SEVEN songs ranked number one.  But he will perhaps always be known for one song in particular; “God Bless the USA” Greenwood was raised working on his grandparent’s farm after his parents separated during WWII.  He pursued his passion for music from an early age and by the time he finished high school he had mastered most all the instruments in the orchestra. He began working for the [...]

Herschel Walker and SEAL Brian Jason. Photo Credit: Fox Business Herschel Walker is considered one of our nation’s elite athletes. Brian Jason served with one of the world’s most elite military units.  The True American Hero Truck giveaway brought them together. The giveaway was an initiative of the Rocky Ridge Truck Company to recognize and give back to first responders and members of our military. Herschel Walker was on top of the world.  But one day the NFL [...]

Past American Warrior guest Leo Jenkins has written about the distinction between a gladiator and a warrior. A warrior is a person who dons the uniform to wear on the field of battle and a gladiator dons a uniform to compete on an athletic field. There are many cases of those who have been both. Pat Tillman gave up a lucrative NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers following the 9/11 attacks.  Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger [...]