Veterans Who Lead & Inspire

Did you know a secret unit of artists, designers, and sound engineers once tricked Hitler with inflatable tanks and theatrical illusions?

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops — known as the "Ghost Army" — was a 1,100-man unit that staged over 20 battlefield deceptions across Europe during WWII. Using inflatable tanks, fake radio chatter, and sound effects, they made the enemy believe entire divisions were somewhere they weren't.

After the war, many Ghost Army veterans went on to become some of America's most influential artists and designers. Bill Blass became a legendary fashion designer. Ellsworth Kelly became a world-renowned abstract artist. Their creativity, forged under fire, shaped American culture for decades.

Did you know two Marines built one of the world's most effective disaster response organizations — from scratch — after a devastating earthquake?

Jake Wood and William McNulty served as U.S. Marines in combat zones including Iraq and Afghanistan. Their training taught them to operate in chaos, make rapid decisions, and lead under pressure.

When a massive earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, they didn't wait for orders. They grabbed their packs and went. That moment of action became Team Rubicon — now deploying thousands of veteran volunteers to disaster zones worldwide, giving them renewed purpose while providing communities with rapid, skilled relief.

Did you know a soldier, already engulfed in flames, went back into a burning vehicle — again and again — to save every single one of his soldiers?

Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe served with the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment in Iraq. On October 17, 2005, his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by an IED in Samarra. Drenched in fuel and already on fire, Cashe didn't run.

He pulled six soldiers and an interpreter from the burning wreckage, suffering burns over 72% of his body. He succumbed to his injuries three weeks later. In 2021, SFC Cashe was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor — the first Black service member to receive the honor for actions in Iraq.

Did you know that thousands of military veterans are trading combat boots for crop rows — and feeding the nation in the process?

Veterans from every branch of the military bring unmatched discipline, work ethic, and leadership to everything they do. Many served in harsh environments where adaptability and resilience weren't optional — they were survival skills.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition connects these veterans with agricultural careers, offering grants, mentorship, and the "Homegrown By Heroes" label to help veteran farmers stand out in the marketplace. From small family farms to large-scale operations, they're proving the mission never ends — it just changes terrain.