Special Operations Warrior Foundation

AMAZING TIME??The #SOWF team wants to say thank you once again to all the incredible sponsors of the "A Night To Honor" fundraising dinner in Fort Walton Beach! Warrior sponsorships made by Bell Flight, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman helped make this a successful night full of people paying tribute and honoring the families of fallen Special Operations Personnel. To all of our sponsors, we extend a heartfelt thank you for your unwavering support! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #fundraiser #EnduringPromise #fortwaltonbeach #dinner #CradleToCareer #nonprofit

'...LIFE ISN’T ABOUT AVOIDING FAILURE' ?? In our bi-monthly SOWFocus newsletter, we feature a leadership story. This edition put a spotlight on #SOWF Ambassador Chris Black's story – speaking of a second chance given to him that changed his life. "At the end of the day, life isn’t about avoiding failure. It’s about how you respond to it. Sometimes, success is nothing more than picking up a machete and cutting grass—one determined stroke at a time." he wrote. To read his story featured in the newsletter, click the link: https://lnkd.in/euwQYgbA ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #specialoperations #leadership #newsletter #CradleToCareer

HONORING OUR HEROES ?? For the past week, we've had the pleasure of highlighting the courageous Veterans who work for SOWF. Not only did they serve to protect our country, but now they continue to work every day to support Special Operations Forces, Medal of Honor Recipients and their families! We want to thank everyone who donated to "SOWF's Stories of Service" campaign! And if you'd still like to contribute, it's not too late – click this link: https://lnkd.in/e9ymfWcK Every dollar goes toward our #EnduringPromise. ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #donation #CradletoCareer #StoriesofService #VeteransDay2024 #veterans #fundraiser #HonoringOurHeroes #ThankYouVeterans #nonprofit

SNAG THE SUIT ?? We wanted to give a big 'Thank You' to Black Rifle Coffee Company and Ultimate Fighting Championship for joining together to salute military service by raising funds for the SOWF through the non-profit's first-ever specialty memorabilia auction! Click here for the auction: go.rallyup.com/buffer-suit You have the opportunity to win this custom-made jacket that UFC? Announcer Bruce Buffer was sporting, designed by King & Bay Custom Clothing Inc. The proceeds will benefit SOWF's Children with Disabilities Program! Thank you to BRCC for their endless support and to UFC? for being a part of our #EnduringPromise! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #EnduringPromise #CradletoCareer #BruceBuffer #UFC #BRCC #auction #suit #nonprofit

SOWF’S STORIES OF SERVICE ?? To wrap up our week-long spotlight of our Veterans here at SOWF, we’re highlighting Former Petty Officer Third Class Jason Prosper, our dedicated Event Coordinator who became a part of our team this year! “My father served in the Army and fought in Vietnam, as a fellow Veteran myself, I want to thank each one of you for your service & sacrifice,” PO3 Prosper said. We are incredibly grateful for his service and the expertise he brings to the SOWF team! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #EnduringPromise #CradletoCareer #StoriesofService #VeteransDay2024 #veterans #fundraiser #HonoringOurHeroes #ThankYouVeterans #nonprofit

SOWF’S STORIES OF SERVICE??? Today we’re highlighting Petty Officer First Class (Retired) Gary Aquino, our dedicated Administrative Manager! After serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, PO1 Aquino retired and joined SOWF in August 2007. ? PO1 Aquino’s journey began at the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL, followed by “A” school training at the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola, FL. He acted as a Cryptologic Technician Administrative, specifically in the role of Special Security Assistant. His final assignment was with the Navy Information Operations Command and Nation Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland. ? We are incredibly grateful for his service and the expertise he brings to the SOWF team! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #EnduringPromise #CradletoCareer #StoriesofService #VeteransDay2024 #veterans #fundraiser #HonoringOurHeroes #ThankYouVeterans #nonprofit

It was truly an honor to play at the Special Operations Warrior Foundation dinner in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I’m amazed by the stories and impact SOWF has made for so many families and veterans of the Special Operations community. I couldn’t be more proud to support an organization that stands behind their word, and continues to honor the legacy of those who have fallen.

SOWF’S STORIES OF SERVICE ?? We're proud to spotlight CDR (Ret) Tom Deitz, our dedicated Development Coordinator! After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1984, CDR Deitz spent decades serving before retiring in 2004 as a Navy SEAL. His first fundraiser for SOWF was in 2001 when, at SEAL Team 5, he participated in a five-mile ocean swim to honor one of his fallen teammates! After retiring, Tom held a golf tournament instead of a formal ceremony to raise money for SOWF. He served on SOWF's Board of Directors for three years before officially joining the SOWF team as the Development Coordinator in May 2018. We are incredibly grateful for his service and the expertise he brings to the SOWF team! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #EnduringPromise #CradletoCareer #StoriesofService #VeteransDay2024 #veterans #fundraiser #HonoringOurHeroes #ThankYouVeterans #nonprofit

THANK YOU ?? The #SOWF team would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all of the incredible sponsors of tonight's "A Night To Honor" fundraising dinner in Fort Walton Beach – with Warrior sponsorships made by Bell Flight, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman! We are looking forward to this evening, which will pay tribute and honor the families of fallen Special Operations Personnel. To all of our sponsors, we extend a heartfelt thank you for your unwavering support! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #fundraiser #EnduringPromise #fortwaltonbeach #dinner #CradleToCareer #nonprofit

SOWF’S STORIES OF SERVICE ?? Today, we're spotlighting MSgt (Ret) Misty Malson, our dedicated Program Support Specialist! After serving 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, she retired in 2019 and joined SOWF in August 2021. During her Air Force career, MSgt Malson was the Support Flight Chief for the 1st Special Operations Dental Squadron, where she managed logistics, budgets, and readiness, and advised the dental leadership team. She’s held roles in both clinical and support flights and served as a Military Training Leader at the Combat Control School, with assignments in Florida, Washington, North Carolina, Kuwait, and Qatar. We are incredibly grateful for her service and the expertise she brings to the SOWF team! ? ? ? #specialoperationswarriorfoundation #EnduringPromise #CradletoCareer #StoriesofService #VeteransDay2024 #veterans #fundraiser #HonoringOurHeroes #ThankYouVeterans #nonprofit