Honorees

Buzz Aldrin grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. His mother, Marion Moon, was the daughter of an Army Chaplain and his father Edwin Eugene Aldrin was an aviation pioneer. Buzz graduated one year early from Montclair High School and he attended the US Military Academy at West Point, graduating third in his class with a…

Alvaro Fer­nan­dez runs Sharp­Brains, an inde­pen­dent mar­ket research firm track­ing applied neu­ro­science and emerging neu­rotech­nol­ogy. A fre­quent pub­lic speaker, he has been quoted by The New York Times, The Wall Street Jour­nal, CNN, Reuters, and more. Alvaro co-authored “The Sharp­Brains Guide to Brain Fit­ness: How to Opti­mize Brain Health and Per­for­mance at Any Age,” translated…

Kate Ortman, Founder and CEO of Brain Training of Maryland, is living the All American dream.  In a few short years, using cutting edge neuro technology, she’s combined her love of family and dogged determination into a successful small business that has changed the lives of hundreds of families. While helping her son recover from…

At age 17, Jennifer Field was well on her way to being an Equestrian Rider at the Olympics when that dream came crashing down following a near fatal car accident that left her comatose and brain damaged. The doctor’s prognosis was that she would never be able to walk, talk or care for herself again. …

Tom earned both his Bachelor’s and Law Degrees from the University of Richmond, and began his service to our country with six years in the Army. During that service he honed his leadership skills, had an opportunity to work with great American patriots, and fight for the Constitutional rights we hold dear. In 2011, Tom…

Scott W. Taylor is a retired American Navy SEAL and the United States Representative-elect for Virginia’s 2nd congressional district, representing the Republican Party. Scott was raised on the Delmarva Peninsula in Hebron, Maryland and began working on a farm at 11 years old.   Around this time Scott was introduced to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters…

General Salisbury is the CEO and founder of the Code of Support foundation. He completed a 30-year career in the U.S. Army, with his final assignment as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command. He then spent 12 years in industry in R&D assignments with Contel Corporation (President, Contel Technology Center)…

Kristina is the Executive Director of the Code of Support.  She has served as an advocate for military and veteran families for over 15 years and is a subject matter expert regarding the mental health impacts of war on military families. Her publications and media appearances include the Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, CNN, NBC,…

Cindy McGrew really walks the talk.  She worked full time for 18 ½ years at Legg Mason, now Morgan Stanley, as a Client Service Representative. She left her full time job to devote her efforts full time to Operation Second Chance. She began this mission of hope out of love for our country, pride in…

Mr. Falke Ken is a true inspiration.  He is the CEO of a Shoulder 2 Shoulder Inc., a technology and multi-media company dedicated to helping others, in addition to being the chairman and founder of Boulder Crest Retreat. He is a 21-year combat veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired Master Chief Petty Officer. Ken is…

For Jon Monett it’s about giving back.  Of McLean, Virginia, Jon is the founder of the Quality of Life Plus Program (QL+) a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to foster and generate innovations to aid and improve the quality of life of those injured in the line of duty.  Jon served for 26 years…

Tom Kilgannon is the President of Freedom Alliance, a charitable organization that has been honoring and helping America’s active duty military personnel, our veterans and their families for more than 25 years.  Freedom Alliance helps thousands of troops and military families rehabilitate and overcome the wounds of war, especially those suffering the effects of Traumatic…