Tell Your Story

Presley: My Journey with TMF

Summer of 2025. I was fresh out of my decade long military service. The VA had just diagnosed me with bilateral tendinitis in my knees, spinal arthritis, a bulged disk, and degenerative disc disease. It has been difficult to do simple things in life, but I don’t want that to define me or stop me. With September coming up in a few months, I wanted to find something local in my area for 9/11. Whether it be an event, food drive, etc. I just wanted to continue to serve my community, even if I was no longer in the military. That is when I came across the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run 5K. I know what you’re thinking, “You just said you are all messed up, how did you run a 5K?”, I did not haha. Luckily, TMF had an option to do a weighted or unweighted ruck option instead! I immediately thought, “this is for me”. No matter how badly it hurt to do, I was going to cross that finish line. I got one of my friends involved as well, he likes a challenge and it is good to have a support system with you (especially after leaving the military). We went out there to Hudson, MA and got going. It was challenging to say the least. TMF and GORUCK only require 20lbs for the weighted ruck option, however, I overachieved a little and had 37lbs. Crazy thing too is that we both ended up placing and getting medals. I had 1st in my age group and he had 3rd in his age group. We were flabbergasted. Not only did we have no idea that there were even medals at the end, but the fact that we had placed blew our minds! It also just so happened to spark a fire in us to do it again in 2026. This year, we have also gotten more people involved to support TMF and ruck/run for a good cause. We are hoping to have five or so people this year and increase the numbers more and more as time goes on. I have been looking into joining the local TMF chapter as well so I can help out and do so much more. TMF has brought many different events into my life, the 9/11 Heroes 5K just holds a special place, being the first event I have participated in. This year, I have (so far), completed the GWOT 100 and the TMF Workout of the Day (WOD). If you are a veteran, currently serving, or are a supporter/want to do more for veterans and their families, I definitely would recommend the Travis Manion Foundation.

Ben: Finding Home Under the Stars and Stripes

I have lived under very different flags in my lifetime. I was born in the former Soviet Union, where freedom was restricted and tightly controlled. Even as a young child, I experienced what life looked like when liberty was something people dreamed about rather than lived every day. When I was six years old, my family immigrated to Israel, where I grew up and discovered the meaning of service to something greater than myself.

For the next 24 years, Israel became my home. I proudly served for a decade in the Israel Defense Forces, where I learned that duty, sacrifice, and commitment are more than words—they are values that define a life of purpose. Those years taught me that the security and freedom of a nation are never guaranteed. They are earned and protected by ordinary men and women willing to put others before themselves.

In 2015, I fulfilled a dream I had carried since I was a teenager and immigrated to the United States. America had always represented hope to me—a nation founded on liberty, opportunity, and the belief that people can build a better future through hard work and service. Today, I have the incredible privilege of serving this country twice: as a member of the United States Air Force and as a police officer in New Jersey.

The United States is far more than the place where I live. It is my home. Having lived under very different systems of government, I understand how rare and precious America’s freedoms truly are. Freedom is not simply a word in the Constitution or a principle we celebrate on holidays. It is the ability to speak openly, pursue opportunity, worship freely, and determine your own future. It is something millions of Americans have inherited because generations before them were willing to defend it with extraordinary courage—and, in far too many cases, with their lives.

That is why I believe so deeply in the mission of Travis Manion Foundation. The men and women who serve our nation, and the families who stand beside them, deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve our continued investment, our support, and our promise that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Organizations like Travis Manion Foundation ensure that the legacy of those who served lives on by inspiring future generations to lead with character, courage, and selfless service.

My journey has taken me across continents and through different chapters of history, but it has led me to one profound truth: freedom is never free. It survives only when people are willing to protect it and when a grateful nation chooses to honor those who answered that call. Supporting our veterans and service members is not simply an act of appreciation—it is an investment in the very values that make America the greatest nation in the world.

Serving this country is the greatest honor of my life, and supporting those who have worn, and continue to wear, the uniform is one of the most meaningful ways I can give back to the nation that gave me a home.

With much gratitude and respect,
Ben Adam
Airman. Officer. Patriot. Husband. Father.

Ethan: Dependable, Skilled, Selfless

My family has a long history of service to our nation – seven generations, from the Revolutionary War to serving on active duty right now. My whole life has been spent around Veterans and service members. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from our “Greatest Generation” and the greatest of every generation since. My father had five combat deployments as well as Humanitarian and Peacekeeping deployments. He was wounded and received three Purple Hearts – he spent twelve years on active duty and the last twenty making sure other Veterans and service members are taken care of. My sister is currently on active duty and has had two deployments. What I’ve learned from our Veterans and my family is that we all play a part in history and the future. Large or small our contributions matter. My grandfather and dad have instilled in me that there are three traits that a good person has and shares – they are dependable, skilled and selfless. I can’t wait to do my part and have an impact.

Thomas: Retired Marine, NASA and Volunteer Firefighter

I was initially drawn to the Travis Manion Foundation and the “If Not Me, Then Who…” mentality as a retired Marine and then later adopting it in my approach as a volunteer firefighter. I retired with 21 years of active duty service in the Marine Corps and am currently employed at NASA as an analyst; however, in my free time I serve as the Assistant Fire Chief for the city of Friendswood, TX. Our volunteer firefighters are always looking for challenges throughout the year and the Travis Manion WOD is one of the events we tackle annually. It’s our way to honor and respect Travis Manion’s service while also motivating us to push harder. Service to others has always guided me in my decision making and the Travis Manion Foundation embodies this belief — Thank you for all that you do for our veterans.

Matt and Kristen: Supporting Future Generations

Shortly after moving to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about a decade ago, my wife Kristen and I came across a Facebook post about Travis Manion. The post mentioned that Travis had been a wrestler at the U.S. Naval Academy. I had wrestled at Virginia Tech, and Travis and I were about the same age.

I realized that I had likely been in the same room with him. Every year, my team competed in a tournament at Annapolis, which meant Travis and I had wrestled on the same mats. Our lives went in very different directions after that shared experience, but years later, I found myself living near the community where he had grown up.

That coincidence led us to Travis Manion Foundation, where we learned more about Travis, his legacy, and the organization created in his name. His “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos immediately resonated with both of us.

We were especially inspired by the way TMF acts as a force multiplier. The organization not only supports veterans and families of the fallen, but also empowers veterans to become instruments of good within their communities, particularly for young people. That kind of service can create a powerful, compounding effect over time.

In 2018, while I was attending business school at the University of Pennsylvania, we decided to turn a traditional end-of-semester get-together into a pool party fundraiser for TMF. Many of my classmates were active-duty military personnel or veterans, and several shared stories about how TMF had supported their friends and their friends’ families.

One classmate shared a testimonial from the wife of a fallen teammate, who said that TMF had changed the course of her life. After losing her husband, becoming involved with the Foundation gave her a renewed sense of purpose. Hearing stories like hers made the mission feel even more personal and reinforced our desire to help.

The following year, the event became known as the Mattalina Wine Mixer, inspired by my love of the movie “Step Brothers.” It was another tremendous success, bringing together former classmates and many of our local friends. That year, we raised $12,000 for TMF.

After taking a few years off because of the pandemic, we held our third Mattalina Wine Mixer in August 2023. It was our most successful event yet. Several of my former classmates returned, even more of our local friends joined us, and together we raised more than $22,000 for TMF.

Through our support of Travis Manion Foundation, we have found not only fulfillment, but also a profound sense of purpose. For us, it is not simply about raising funds. It is about raising hope, lifting the spirits of others, and helping carry forward a legacy of service and character.

John and Helen: From the Battlefield to the Spartan Family

My wife Helen and I have a unique connection to Travis Manion Foundation. I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy a few years before Travis and later had the privilege of serving alongside him during my third and final deployment with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. During that time, Travis and I became friends.

Because of my connection to Travis and our close friendships with two members of TMF’s Board of Directors, Helen and I have long considered ourselves part of the Spartan family. Supporting TMF’s mission has remained deeply important to us.

Like many veterans who have transitioned from active duty, I still carry a strong sense of service—to my country, my community, and the legacies of those I served alongside. TMF’s ethos, “If Not Me, Then Who…,” captures the heart of that commitment. It is a reminder that creating positive change and supporting others is a never-ending pursuit.

Although Helen and I live in San Jose, California, and balance busy careers in commercial real estate and supply chain management while raising three active children, we continue to make time to support TMF. One tradition that is especially meaningful to us is attending the annual “If Not Me, Then Who…” Gala each December in Philadelphia.

To me, TMF’s mission is a call to action—not only to support veterans and families of the fallen, but also to encourage anyone who wants to make a positive impact in their community.

Service can take many forms. We see it exemplified by Travis and by all those currently serving in uniform, but it can also be reflected through programs like Character Does Matter, powered by UA Freedom. The program helps instill lasting values and can be a transformative experience, especially for those who choose to be the person who starts a positive ripple effect.