Sticks for Soldiers, Inc.

In a Legoland hotel parking lot, Lindsey Stacy's phone vibrated. She saw the area code and smiled—Kenton. Her husband, a 34-year-old Navy EOD master technician, was deployed in Syria, due home in three weeks. Married for 13 years, the high school sweethearts from Ohio had four children. Kenton had served four combat tours, disarming IEDs in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. This deployment meant missing their son Mason’s sixth birthday. At the hotel, Mason blew out his candles and wished for his dad to come home. The next morning, Lindsey’s phone rang. It wasn’t Kenton—it was his commanding officer. There’d been an explosion. Nineteen months later, Lindsey still remembers the moment her heart sank. She wasn't prepared for the extent of Kenton's injuries, the hospital stays, or the outpouring of support from loved ones and strangers alike. Kenton and Lindsey met in homeroom in sixth grade. By their junior year, they were inseparable. He wanted to be a firefighter; she pursued a career in travel. When Greenville had a hiring freeze, Lindsey saw a newspaper ad for firefighting jobs. Kenton called—only to find it was a Navy recruiter. No fire jobs, but there were openings in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. He thrived in EOD, jumping from planes, diving, and deploying with Navy SEALs. His career flourished while Lindsey put hers on hold to raise their family. When he deployed to Syria in 2017, he aimed to prove himself as a master technician. On Nov. 9, 2017, in Raqqah, Kenton was training local soldiers to clear ISIS bombs. His team defused several IEDs in a hospital before an explosion rocked the building. Staff Sgt. Justin Peck, an Army medic, found Kenton unconscious, bleeding from his throat, chest, and leg. Kenton's heart stopped four times before surgeons revived him. He endured over a dozen surgeries and 42 pints of blood transfusions before being flown to Texas for treatment—arriving on Veterans Day. Lindsey had always feared losing him—but not this. Not a coma, paralysis, blindness in one eye, and damaged vocal cords. Yet, as doctors played heavy metal music in his hospital room, nurses noticed him lip-syncing. His brain was intact. He was still Kenton. Their faith kept them going. Lindsey, who had endured past traumas—including losing two of her triplets at birth—set one goal: Bring Kenton home. Kenton battled infections and surgeries, moving from hospitals in Texas to San Diego. The EOD community rallied, providing round-the-clock hospital visits, and family support. Kenton struggles, sometimes wishing Lindsey would move on. She refuses. On their 15th anniversary, she vowed, “I will be your arms, I will be your legs, I will be your voice.” ---------------------------- We are humbled by the Stacy family's fight. Join us in recognizing Kenton as the Sticks for Soldiers 2025 Honoree – a Navy EOD Specialist who changed his life protecting ours. Donate here: www.sticksforsoldiers.org #navy #veteran #usmilitary #fundraiser #lacrosse #EOD

“Extraordinary isn’t about being superhuman—it’s about dedication.” In this clip from Season 1, Episode 8, General Stan McChrystal shares a powerful realization: The regiment isn’t made up of superhumans. Instead, it’s built by ordinary people committed to doing extraordinary things. A must-watch episode with an incredible Ranger leader! Catch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/ezh53xNj

??Please repost so we can have more of LinkedIn know the sacrifice these Sailors made!?? On August 31, 2021, an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter tragically crashed during routine operations from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) off the coast of San Diego, claiming the lives of five brave U.S. Navy sailors: Lt. Bradley A. Foster, 29, a pilot from Oakhurst, California. Lt. Paul R. Fridley, 28, a pilot from Annandale, Virginia. Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class James P. Buriak, 31, from Salem, Virginia. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sarah F. Burns, 31, from Severna Park, Maryland. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker, 21, from St. Louis, Missouri. Their service and sacrifice remind us of the dangers faced daily by those in uniform. These sailors exemplified professionalism, bravery, and dedication in the face of risks most of us will never know. To their families and shipmates: you are not forgotten. We honor their memory and stand with you in your grief. Fair winds and following seas to the crew of that MH-60S. Rest easy, heroes. We have the watch. ________ If this post resonated with you, I’d be grateful if you liked it and followed me (Tony Grayson) for more insights and veteran videos. Infrastructure Masons Compass Datacenters Northstar Technologies Group, Inc. Nomad Futurist US Navy #veteran #alwaysrember

Yeah Ben, “suck it up” sounds about right to us. I fear it’s a foreign concept to this generation.

Hello from Vancouver where we have traveled to help kick off the 2025 Invictus Games. It's a true honor to be here for the first ever Winter-Summer hybrid games where athletes from 23 participating nations will compete in 11 adaptive sporting competitions including alpine skiing, snowboarding, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, and wheelchair rugby, and swimming. Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 invites injured, wounded, and ill service members and veterans from around the world an opportunity to train and work towards competition. This then enables these heroes to reclaim their purpose and identity post-injury and into the future. Robert Irvine and the Robert Irvine Foundation, as Friends of the Games, helped sponsor the welcome dinner bringing together the competitors, family, and friends from around the world. Chef Irvine created a special dish for the evening, Montreal Smoked Pastrami Poutine, inspired by the host country of Canada. #invictusteamus #ig25 The men and women who put on a uniform in defense of our freedoms are the very best of us, and there is no enemy, obstacle, setback, or hardship that can ever truly defeat them. Seeing these heroes shine during the Invictus Games is truly a remarkable experience for spectators with a potentially life-changing impact for the athletes themselves.

Ben Harrow was invited to share his extraordinary story at our recent U.S Oncology National Field Meeting. With authentic candor about his journey, Ben inspired us in the audience, blending humor and gravity as he recounted how his efforts, along with the support of family and friends, have allowed him to continue living a life of excellence. Ben's path from Division One Athlete at West Point, U.S Army Special Forces Leader, and Entrepreneur marked by determination and resilience, resonated strongly with me. I believe his story can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration to those within my network. If you're looking for a keynote speaker / interested in listening to his story - I would encourage you to reach out to him at [email protected] and/or listen to his Team Harrow podcast.

Want to make a positive impact in our community? Interested in supporting our Veterans? Shootout for Soldiers Canandaigua would love to have you join our dedicated team of volunteers in planning our 2025 24 hour lacrosse fundraising event. We are always looking for new faces and ideas to continue making our event a success. Last year we raised almost $75,000 for Veterans charities both locally (BlueStar Mothers of Canandaigua,and Honor flight of Rochester) and Nationally. If interested please contact John Isaac at [email protected].

Bob Vitale, on behalf of Sticks for Soldiers and its supporters, proudly presents a check for $7,500 to Ted Hollander?of Help Our Military Heroes (HOMH). Help Our Military Heroes is?dedicated to delivering?adapted, ramp-entry minivans,?vans, and SUVs to our wounded,?injured, and ill military?heroes. Our goal?is always to ensure that our Veterans get the vehicles?they need with no out-of-pocket expense. Since our?inception, HOMH has awarded over 225 adaptive vehicle?grants to some of our Nation’s most deserving, and most?inspiring, service men and women, and in 2019 we expanded?our program to include pre-Iraq and Afghanistan War?Veterans as well. HOMH is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization?founded to help Veterans with 100% service-connected?wounds, injuries, and/or illnesses. HOMH's founding?members and board members cover ALL non-program expenses,?which means?100%?of public donations go toward the?purchase of modified vehicles for our heroes.?HOMH was co-founded in 2009 by Laurie Hollander, Ted Hollander?and Marybeth Vandergrift and a dozen close friends and?advocates. Our Board of Directors?is composed of?veterans, educators, philanthropists, and business?executives who come together with one goal: to make life?better for our wounded servicemen and women. https://lnkd.in/edX_HB2W Sticks for Soldiers, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity lacrosse event held the Saturday following Thanksgiving in Fairfield, Connecticut to raise money for severely wounded?veterans of the post 9/11 era. The event is organized and hosted by the Fairfield Ludlowe High School boys and girls lacrosse programs. The charity’s dual mission is raising?funds and support for our severely wounded service members, while raising awareness among high school athletes of the sacrifices being made on their behalf by people just?a few years older than themselves. Through their play and fund-raising participation, the athletes can demonstrate their tangible thanks and support. Over $1,200,000 has?been raised since its inception in 2006. #supportourtroops?#usmilitary #veterans?#firstresponders?#lacrosse Ben Harrow?Jeffrey Knight?Lora Thompson?Allison Stogdale, PharmD, M.S.?Mike Nelson?Col Patrizia Dienhart-Stabile?Neal Einsidler?Tim Shaw?Steven R. Fleming, PMP?John Buckner?Linda Johnson?Molly Schnieber?Robert Weber?D. McBurnett SEAL Ret.?JC Glick?Tammy Lynn Laird?Mark D'Antonio?Chris Connaboy?Gary Sinise?Robert Irvine?Ed Iannone, CFA, CFP??Brian Rathjen?Brian Lawler?Kerry Steuart?Van Lai-DuMone?Glenn L.?Erik Kleinbeck?Jennifer Leeper?Tony Hwang?Kevin Comstock?Joshua Marks?Chad Baker?Adam Vengrow?Paola Benedetto?Keith Forkin?Mike Baldwin?Michael Voucas

?? Excited to welcome my latest guest, Gina Harrow, to the TeamHarrow Podcast! As the Executive Director of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Gina plays an instrumental role in supporting wounded service members and their families. Today, we’re diving into her inspiring work with the Yellow Ribbon Fund, the incredible impact the organization has made, and the upcoming Yellow Ribbon Gala in Boca Raton. Stay tuned for an episode filled with resilience, purpose, and stories of making a difference. ?? #TeamHarrow #Podcast #YellowRibbonFund #Resilience #MilitaryCommunity #SupportOurTroops #VeteranStories

Sticks for Soldiers proudly presented a check for $45K to our 2024 Honoree, U.S. Marine Cpl. (Ret.) Kelsee Lainhart. On behalf of Kelsee, Stacey (Kelsee’s mother), our Board and event volunteers, we extend a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who came together to make this year’s event a success. Good people doing good. Sticks for Soldiers, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity lacrosse event held the Saturday following Thanksgiving in Fairfield, Connecticut to raise money for severely wounded veterans of the post 9/11 era. The event is organized and hosted by the Fairfield Ludlowe High School boys and girls lacrosse programs. The charity’s dual mission is raising funds and support for our severely wounded service members, while raising awareness among high school athletes of the sacrifices being made on their behalf by people just a few years older than themselves. Through their play and fund-raising participation, the athletes can demonstrate their tangible thanks and support. Over $1,200,000 has been raised since its inception in 2006. #supportourtroops #usmarines #abbeygate #veterans #lacrosse Ben Harrow Jeff Coulson Jeffrey Knight Lora Thompson Allison Stogdale, PharmD, M.S. Mike Nelson Col Patrizia Dienhart-Stabile Neal Einsidler Tim Shaw Steven R. Fleming, PMP John Buckner Linda Johnson Molly Schnieber Robert Weber D. McBurnett SEAL Ret. JC Glick Tammy Lynn Laird Mark D'Antonio Chris Connaboy Gary Sinise Gary Sinise Foundation Robert Irvine Ed Iannone, CFA, CFP? Brian Rathjen Brian Lawler Paul Rabil Kerry Steuart Van Lai-DuMone Glenn L. Erik Kleinbeck Jennifer Leeper Tony Hwang Kevin Comstock Joshua Marks Chad Baker Adam Vengrow Paola Benedetto Keith Forkin Mike Baldwin Michael Voucas