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Supporting the Families of Fallen and Wounded
Special Operations Forces Since 1980
Above: Courtney Horrigan is the daughter of Army Master
Sergeant Robert Horrigan who lost his life in 2005 while deployed
to Iraq. Courtney is a sophomore at Texas State University.
Student Spotlight: Courtney Horrigan
Courtney Horrigan is a rising star at Texas State
University where she is pursuing a double-major
in communication design and
advertising. As a sophomore, Courtney
joined the local Advertising Club
on campus. Today, she is the club’s
president, leading 70 students and 10
officers.
Last year, Courtney was among only 19
students selected nationally to receive
a prestigious American Advertising
Federation (AFF) Vance and Betty Lee
Stickell Student Internship. The tenweek program provided Courtney
with an opportunity to intern as an
art director with advertising industry
leader, DDB in San Francisco.
Courtney is the daughter of Army Master Sergeant
Robert Horrigan who lost his life in 2005 while
deployed to Iraq. Master Sgt. Horrigan
was a highly decorated Special Forces
soldier with 21 years of service,
including multiple tours in Afghanistan
and Iraq. Master Sgt. Horrigan was
the Senior Special Forces Weapons
Sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 7th
Special Forces Group, when his team
engaged in enemy fire during combat
operations in western Iraq.
As result of Courtney’s hard work and
creative vision, she has been awarded
two American Advertising Awards and
Above: Army Master Sergeant a Special Judges Award for Execution of
Robert Horrigan, a Special
Concept. “None of this would have been
Forces soldier who lost his life
possible without the support of Special
“I am very interested in becoming an art in 2005.
Operations Warrior Foundation,” said
director after I graduate,” said Courtney.
Courtney. “They supported me, gave
“Then after a couple of years go back to school for
me guidance, and provided what no one else could...
my masters’ degree in business so I can start my own
an education that changed my life.”
advertising agency supporting nonprofits.”
I
recently had the
opportunity to
attend a change of
command ceremony
at the United States
Special Operations
Command at MacDill
Air Force Base in
Tampa, Florida.
Secretary of Defense
Ash Carter and the
Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, Marine
Corps General Joe
Dunford officiated
the ceremony.
Army General Joe Votel, who has led our Special
Operations Forces for the past 19 months, handed
the leadership over to another distinguished Special
Operator, Army General Tony Thomas.
REPORT
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
killed by enemy fire
in Afghanistan. He
left behind a wife
and a four-month
old son, who will be
starting his freshman
year of college in
2034. Additionally, six
Special Operators
were wounded and
hospitalized. The
Special Operations
Warrior Foundation
provided each of our
wounded troops with a stipend for $3,000 to help
reduce the financial burden of being hospitalized.
We also sent them each an iPad so they can
communicate with their friends and family members
while they recover.
One particular moment stood out for me during
the ceremony. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said
in his remarks to the men and women of Special
Operations community, “In a year when threats can
emerge from nearly anywhere on Earth and when
greater destructive power risks are falling into the
hands of smaller and smaller groups of people,
the citizens of this great country will continue to
depend on your constant pursuit of excellence.”
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is grateful
for all of our supporters who faithfully commit to
our noble cause because our ability to offer college
scholarship grants depends on the generosity of
our donors. Because of your steadfast support
and generous donations, every one of our Special
Operators know that if something happens to them
while serving our country, the Special Operations
Warrior Foundation has their back.
On any given day, over 10,000 special operations
personnel are deployed to more than 80 countries,
as the Secretary of Defense reminded us in his
remarks. Their missions are some of the military’s
most difficult. At times, special operators are
deployed with large formations, such as what you
would expect in Iraq and Afghanistan. However,
in some countries, there might be only one or
two Special Operators quietly going about their
business.
On behalf of my team of 14 employees, who work
tirelessly to honor the sacrifices of fallen special
operations warriors, and our Board of Directors who
ensure those sacrifices are never forgotten, I thank
you for your continued support.
January was a rough month for the friends and
families of Special Operators. Tragically, we lost
one of our Army Special Forces soldiers who was
Joseph Maguire
Vice Admiral, USN, Ret.
President/CEO
2 SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION
Sincerely,
SOWF COUNSELING IS A SUCCESS!
PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
ENTERING COLLEGE
94
In the past five years
Special Operations
Warrior Foundation
students graduated
from college.
100
SOWF Graduates
80
92%
60
40
National Average*
59%
94%
of SOWF students are
currently in college or have
graduated.
YOUR GIFTS MADE
THIS POSSIBLE
20
0
*Source: The National Center for Educational Statistics
Positive Impact of Tutoring
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation wants
every child to achieve and exceed their academic
goals. We understand that sometimes a student
needs a little extra help with mathematics, science,
reading, or even foreign language classes. That is
why we have partnered with Professional Tutors of
America to provide professional in-home tutoring
and educational coaching services at no-cost to our
students. The tutoring is available for any subject
from kindergarten through college graduation.
Tutoring sessions are private and customized to the
student’s needs. “Tutoring has been a lifesaver for
our family” said Anya Langlais, mother of two boys.
“Thank you so much to SOWF for providing this. Our
tutor is wonderful.”
To date, the foundation has provided funding for
180 students to receive over 1,200 hours of private
tutoring.
For Tonya Lindenau, the improvement for her
daughter was very noticable. “Not only is my
daughter doing better in math, the tutoring has really
helped her confidence and self-esteem.”
BREAKDOWN OF
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Average in-state college tuition
per year = $23,800*
Students in
College
(140)
High School,
Elementary &
Pre-school
(700+)
College
Graduates
(227)
*Average annual cost of four year public college according to the
National Center for Educational Statistics
THE LINK NEWSLETTER
3
Spotlight on SO
WHERE ARE
Dustin Rodriguez
Left to right: Breanna, Kalie, Samantha, and Gracie with
their mom, Melissa.
Kalie Walters
Kalie graduated from the University of West Florida
in 2014 with a degree in Psychology. She is currently
working at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base as a
contractor for SOCOM’s Preservation of the Force
and Family. Kalie is helping stand up a new program
across Air Force Special Operations Command called
AFSOC Families Forever to support the families of the
fallen. The best part of her job is “being able to work
closely with our Airmen and their families.”
Kalie is one of four daughters of Air Force Technical
Sergeant Howard Walters, who lost his life in 2003
while deployed to Afghanistan with the 20th Special
Operations Squadron. Her sisters Breanna and
Samantha are currently in college.
“After graduating from Full Sail in 2004 with a double
major in Show Production and Business I was able to
pursue my dreams of working with some the greatest
music artists such as Rascal Flatts, World Wrestling
Entertainment, Taylor Swift, Blue Man Group, Royal
Caribbean and travel the world doing so.”
Dustin and his wife, Elizabeth, recently moved to St.
Petersburg, Florida where Dustin will be designing
audio visual aspects of high rise buildings all over the
country with Power Design Inc.
“Without the assistance of the Special Operations
Warrior Foundation, I would not have been given the
opportunities to succeed that I have had. Over the
years the SOWF have been a part of my life, including
today. SOWF is a life family that I will always be in
debt to.”
Dustin is the son of Army Special Forces Master
Sergeant Eloy Rodriguez Jr., who lost his life in 1991
during Operation Desert Storm.
“The SOWF has provided me with so many
opportunities to excel in school and become a better
person and with SOWFs help, I have not stressed
about money while I was in school and was able to
focus on my studies and become successful in my
career.”
To all of SOWF’s supporters, Kalie says “Thank you for
all that you do for me and my family. We don’t know
where we would be without people that truly care
about the children left behind.”
Dustin Rodriguez at work.
4 SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION
OWF Graduates:
THEY NOW?
Taniya and Taryn Wright
Taniya and Taryn
Wright are the
daughters of Army
Staff Sergeant James
B. Wright, who lost
his life in 1987 while
assigned to the 10th
Special Forces Group.
Taniya was four years
old; Taryn only 14
months.
Taniya graduated
in 2006 from the
Taniya Wright is a morning news
University of South
anchor.
Florida with a degree
in mass communications, with an emphasis on TV and
Broadcasting.
After spending two years as a news anchor in
Hagerstown, Maryland, SOWF graduate Taniya Wright is
now the morning news anchor at the NBC news affiliate
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ebony Sherrill (right) with her mother, Grace and
brother, Martin.
Ebony Sherrill
Ebony is one of three surviving children of Army
Special Forces Major Geoffrey Sherrill, who lost his life
in a training accident in 1996. As a doctor assigned
to the 3rd Special Forces Group, Major Sherrill was
responsible for providing medical care for 1,300
Special Forces soldiers.
Ebony and her brother, Martin, were four years old
when they lost their father, and their older sister
Monica was 10.
Ebony graduated from Stevenson University in 2014
with a degree in film and video. Her sister, Monica,
graduated from Villa Julie College with a degree
in Early Childhood Education in 2008. Martin will
graduate from Stevenson University this year with a
degree in film production.
Ebony is currently working at Lululemon AthleticaGeorgetown. However, her dream is to start her
own production company. “Without SOWF I most
likely would not have gone to college. I am not sure
what I would have done with my life, but I am glad
that I do not have to worry about that anymore.
Thanks to SOWF and supporters, I have so many great
opportunities in life.”
Her sister Taryn is on the other side of the country - and
other side of the camera. For the past seven years, Taryn
has worked in the
entertainment industry
and lives in Los
Angeles, California.
Taryn graduated from
the Savannah College
of Art and Design in
2008 with a Bachelor’s
of Fine Arts degree in
film and television.
Taryn is also pursuing
opportunities to shoot
her own independent Taryn Wright has a Fine Arts degree
film projects. She
in film and television.
wrote and directed
a short film this past October and hopes to get into the
film festival circuit later this year.
The sisters are appreciative of the opportunity to attend
college. “The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has
had such an impact on my life,” said Taniya. “SOWF is a
great foundation and I thank everyone who supports it.”
Taryn said, “I would like to thank Special Operations
Warrior Foundation, everyone who is part of it and
everyone who supports it. I am grateful for the support
I received and I am glad future generations will receive
this needed help as well.”
THE LINK NEWSLETTER
5
Destin Beach Ultra Runs Benefiting SOWF
Who runs an ultra on Valentine’s Day? It
turns out those with very big hearts do.
This year’s Destin Beach Ultra Runs in
Destin, Fla., raised over $60,000 for the
Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
While the event was a huge collective
success, there were a few people that
really stood out. Take for instance, Davide
Keaton and Brandon Budge. Davide
Keaton worked tirelessly to raise over
$9,500 to help send the children of his
fallen teammates to college. He then ran
the toughest race in the Destin Ultras
arsenal, the 100-mile race, in 27 hours.
Some 7,000 miles across the globe, on a
lonely outpost in Afghanistan, Brandon
Budge pounded out 99 miles on a
treadmill before taking his final one-mile
lap around his forward operating base
to join in the Destin Ultras 100-mile run
to honor those who made the ultimate
sacrifice. Brandon became a minor
internet sensation in Army circles and
raised $3,150 through his efforts. Both
Davide and Brandon are the epitome of
champions.
Over the past six years, the event has
turned into much more than just a
run. For some it is a family, class or unit
reunion. For others a chance to honor
a lost brother or sister by sweating,
bleeding, and crying on the beach. And
for many others it is a chance to give back
while doing something they love.
For Gold Star spouse Jackie Syverson
and her daughter, Amy, the day was an
opportunity to spend time together.
Jackie’s husband, Army Major Paul R.
Syverson III lost his life in 2004 in Iraq
during a mortar attack while deployed
with the 5th Special Forces Group. Amy was only two
months old and her older brother Paul, was 7. Today,
Paul is at High Point University studying criminal
justice through a scholarship provided by the Special
Operations Warrior Foundation.
It is because of families like the Syversons that
race director Zane Holscher hosts the Destin Ultra
races. Founded in 2010, the Destin Ultra races raise
6 SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION
Above: Jackie Syverson and
her daughter, Amy. Jackie lost
husband Army Major Paul R.
Syverson while deployed in
Iraq with the 5th Special Forces
Group.
Left: Participants carry the flag
in the Destin Beach Ultra Run.
funds for SOWF and its programs to provide college
scholarship grants to the children of fallen Special
Operators. To date, the race, and its runners, have
raised over $190,000 for SOWF.
“It is an honor for my family and I to be able to put
on this event for these big hearted runners,” said race
director Zane Holscher. “Next year, the race will be
held on Feb 19th, and we expect to see the same heart
and tremendous effort displayed by our athletes.”
PLANNED GIVING:
LEAVE A
LASTING
LEGACY
Are you looking for a tax-smart
way to help the Special Operations
Warrior Foundation?
If you are 701/2 or older, you can make a gift from your IRA account
to help support the work of our organization this year and benefit.
Why Make an IRA
Charitable Rollover Gift?
Congress has extended the IRA
charitable rollover and made it
permanent. An IRA rollover gift
is a way for you to support our
cause today without impacting
your checking or savings account
balance. Gifts made from your
IRA (up to $100,000 per year) are
not reportable as taxable income.
They also qualify for your required
minimum distribution (RMD)
which can lower your income and
taxes.
In addition, making an IRA rollover
gift may prevent you from:
• being bumped into a higher
federal and/or state income
tax bracket
• hitting the phaseouts on
your deductions and personal
exemptions
• falling into the Alternative
Minimum Tax (AMT)
• incurring the Affordable Care
Act (ACA) tax
You can benefit from giving from your IRA IF…
•
•
•
•
•
You wish to make a significant gift without using cash or
other assets.
You do not need all or a portion of your IRA income.
You are paying too much in taxes and are looking to
reduce your income.
You do not itemize deductions. Because a rollover gift can
reduce your income and taxes, you can still benefit from
charitable giving.
You want to give over and above your normal giving this
year. An IRA rollover gift does not count towards the 50%
annual limitation on charitable gifts.
What if you have a 401(k), 403(b) or other
retirement plan?
This gift opportunity only works for IRAs. If you own another type
of qualified retirement plan, you must first make a tax-free rollover
of funds into an IRA. Then you can make the gift from the IRA
account to support our work.
How can you make an IRA rollover gift?
Contact your IRA plan administrator to learn their procedure for
making a rollover gift to charity. We can also provide you with a
sample letter and assistance.
To learn more about the benefits of making an IRA charitable
rollover gift, please contact John Elbare at 813-805-9400.
THE LINK NEWSLETTER
7
Board of Directors
Bryan “Doug” Brown
Chairman
General, USA, Retired
7th Commander
U.S. Special Operations Command
Joseph Maguire
President and CEO
Vice Admiral, USN, Retired
Former Commander
Naval Special Warfare Command
Thomas Arthur
Secretary
President, ASAP Capital Partners
Michael Cohen, CPA
Treasurer
Retired Partner, CohnReznick LLP
Assistant Professor, Rutgers
Business School
Edwin (Andy) Anderson
Colonel, USA, Retired
Former Commander, 1st Special Warfare
Training Group
Craig Brotchie
Colonel, USAF, Retired
Former Commander, 720th
Special Tactics Group
Barron Collier II
President, Collier Group
Richard L. Davis
CSM, USA, Retired
Former Command Sgt. Major
Joint Special Operations Command
Owner, Praetorian Standard Inc.
Thomas D. Deitz
Commander, USN, Retired
Former Commanding Officer,
SEAL Team Five
Special Operations Policy Analyst, SAIC
George Ferkes
Colonel, USAF, Retired
Former Commander
Special Operations Group
Dr. Michele L. Malvesti
Professor, Tufts University,
Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy
Kevin Miller
CW3, USA, Retired
President and CEO
Sciolex Companies
Eric T. Olson
Admiral, USN, Retired
8th Commander U. S. Special Operations
Command
Thomas Quinn
U. S. Secret Service, Retired
Director, Federal Air Marshal Service,
Retired
Harold Steinbrenner
Managing General Partner
New York Yankees
Dennis Hejlik
Lt. General, USMC, Retired
Former Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces
and Marine Corps Special Operations Command
Phil and Amy Mickelson Continue to Support
SOWF and its Scholarship Programs
Pro golfer Phil Mickelson
and his wife Amy presented
a check for $100,000 to the
Special Operations Warrior
Foundation at the Patriot
Day CareerBuilder Challenge.
Receiving the check was
the family of Navy SEAL
Commander, Pete Oswald,
who lost his life in 2002. At
the ceremony was Jenny, his
(Left to Right): Steve McLeary, SOWF Executive
spouse, and daughters Ali and
Director; Phil and Amy Mickelson; Maggie, Ali and
Maggie. Ali is a freshman at
Jenny Oswald; and Tom Deitz, SOWF Director.
Loyola Marymount, majoring
in finance, and Maggie is a
junior in high school. Not able to attend was their oldest daughter, Sarah, a
senior at Tufts University, where she is studying mechanical engineering.
“Amy and I really try to help families, specifically through education,” Phil
Mickelson said. “Education holds a special place in our hearts, as it is such a
great opportunity for children.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing Address:
P.O Box 89367
Tampa, FL 33689
Physical Address:
1137 Marbella Plaza Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
Phone:
(813) 805-9400
Fax:
(813) 805-0567
Email:
warrior@specialops.org
Tax ID#: 52-1183585
Your Combined Federal
Campaign contributions can
help the Special Operations
Warrior Foundation provide
life-altering programs to the
families of fallen and wounded
special operators. Please
consider SOWF.
CFC # 11455
Please contact the Special Operations Warrior Foundation if you, or someone you know,
may be eligible to receive benefits from the foundation.