TMS Rob Anders

Newtown is a marvelous place, a charming little New England town nestled among the rolling hills of western Connecticut. The center of the town boasts a 100-foot-tall flagpole in the middle of Main Street. At its top, the American flag waves high above the churches there, the General Store, the Old Inn, Proud Mary’s Tavern and the Edmond Town Hall, which shows $2 movies on Saturday nights. Just down the road is the town library, the Newtown Bee printing press and everyone’s favorite little ice cream parlor. Among the farms and tucked-away neighborhoods, the sprawling trees are old, stately and magnificent in autumn. The annual Labor Day Parade brings out the entire town in red, white and blue and everyone marches from the Veteran’s War Memorial down past the giant flagpole to the Ram Pasture, ending at the Middle School.

The parade is the only thing that ends at a school in Newtown; everything else begins there. The center of the community has forever been Newtown’s children. The community pours its heart and soul into its young people. The schools are excellent and the town is replete with athletic fields, playgrounds and opportunities to explore, learn and grow. The town thrives only because its children thrive, and they do so because it’s a place of strong values, virtue, faith and tolerance.

Newtown represents all that is good about America, stretching back to the Revolutionary War when Rochambeau’s troops camped there as they marched with General George Washington en route to Yorktown in 1781. Since then, it has become the home of Olympic athletes, Eagle Scouts, state champions (NHS Girls Soccer & U11 Little League in 2012), artists, businessmen, musicians, volunteers and public servants all who give back. It’s a place where you’re bound to bump into a friend at the grocery store, or where the barber will cheer your name when you walk in, even if it’s been 10 years since your last haircut there. It’s even the birthplace of Scrabble, where the first game of words with friends was played in 1948.

Newtown is America the way Norman Rockwell painted it. Not everyone is from Newtown, but there’s a little part of Newtown in every part of this country. The quilted community that Newtown has stitched so tight and with such great devotion has been desecrated in a way that tears at the very fabric of America.

Please consider making a donation (https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/), however small, to those most profoundly affected.

On Friday, October 26, 2012, 15 Tillman Military Scholars (TMS) converged in my hometown of Flint, Michigan to build group unity, network and perform community service. Flint is not the ideal community you think of when people discuss regional gatherings of any kind. It has received a gauntlet of negative media because of its violent crime, depressed economy, high unemployment rate and an even higher rate of poverty. However, Flint is slowly on the rebound and I was happy to be able to share its revitalization with my fellow TMS. We took them to one new local hangout in the redeveloped downtown area and spent some time on campus at the University of Michigan-Flint. If Flint were the “city on a hill”, the University of Michigan-Flint would definitely be the shining jewel at the hilltop. UM-Flint has experienced significant growth during and what many called have called ‘the hardest economic times Flint has ever had to endure’.  Chancellor Ruth Person and the University of Michigan-Flint are dedicated to providing the very best support to student Veterans.

Tillman Military Scholars met with UM-Flint Chancellor Ruth Person at last month's Regional Gathering on the campus.

On Saturday, we performed community service at Carriage Town Ministries (CTM), a local community service agency that has been providing free food, shelter and clothing to individuals and families in need since 1950. Words can’t express the level gratitude I have for my fellow TMS who took time out of their busy lives to come to my city and serve my community members who need it most. On the surface it would appear that the group of TMS had no solid connection to those they were helping; only a couple of us had historical ties to the Flint community. Yet as I sat in the van as we pulled away from the parking lot of CTM, it struck me that this service opportunity was about more than physical community connections.

Tillman Military Scholars performed a community service project at Carriage Town Ministries in Flint, MI.

It was about strengthening the human spirit of a community who would walk into CTM the next day for services. The actions of the TMS were an honest reflection of their integrity and selflessness. It spoke volumes of the impact that military servicemembers stand to make beyond their military service requirements. It is at THAT moment, riding away in that van, that I felt we collectively embodied the legacy of Pat Tillman and I was most proud to be a Tillman Military Scholar and a part of this unique community.

This past weekend I was able to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. While there, I was able to connect with Tillman Military Scholars Amanda Thomson, Elizabeth O’Herrin and Cameron Waites, and attend with fellow Tillman Scholar-ASU Tyler Eltringham.

TS-ASU Tyler Eltringham, TMS Amanda Thomson, TS-ASU Priya Nathan and TMS Cameron Waites arrive at GWU for CGI U.

The experience was beyond amazing and the Tillman Scholar presence was strong as it has been at the past four conferences. Over 1,000 students from all 50 states, 82 countries and more than 300 universities were in attendance this past weekend.

During the Saturday sessions, I attended a panel on Education Reform, which helped inform the direction I am heading next with a position in Teach for America. Other sessions followed the topics of climate change, poverty and global health. I also attended one of the offered skills session, this one on how to raise money for an idea/project.

Tillman Scholars-ASU Priya Nathan and Tyler Eltringham on campus at George Washington University.

CGIU is a great way for an individual who has an idea to turn that idea into action. All of the panels (featuring individuals such as Usher, Kristen Bell, Jon Stewart and Madeline Albright) were informative and helped to drive home the importance of any idea to change a community, no matter how big or how small. Plus, as attendees, we got to interact with President Clinton and learn about what he is doing to change the world after his service as our President.

TS-ASU Priya Nathan (left) serves alongside President Clinton at the CGI U Day of Service.

Not only did we attend the conference sessions, we snuck in some time for Georgetown Cupcakes and some sightseeing in our nation’s Capitol City. And participated in the CGI U Day of Service, where we had the opportunity to serve in D.C.’s Ward 7 alongside President Clinton, current NFL WRs and Rhodes Scholar and Army veteran Wes Moore.

Donté Stallworth (New England Patriots WR), Anthony Armstrong (Washington Redskins WR), TMS Elizabeth O'Herrin, Torrey Smith (Baltimore Ravens WR) and TS-ASU Priya Nathan at the CGI U Day of Service.

This weekend was an amazing trip with memorable experiences (I got to shake President Clinton’s hand and discuss his vegan diet!) and opportunities to connect with fellow Scholars around the country!

Visit the Pat Tillman Foundation Facebook page to see some more pictures.

Pints for Pat drew an overflow crowd of attendees, including Pat’s Run sponsors, media, Tillman Military Scholars, Tillman Scholars-ASU, Pat’s former Sun Devil football teammates, Team Tillman members and Pat Tillman Foundation staff who gathered to pay tribute to Pat.

As has become tradition, Rula Bula is selling 1,442 commemorative Guinness pint glasses with Pat’s number 42 etched on one side and a word that exemplifies Pat’s character and values on the other side. This year’s edition features the word “Courage.” The glasses are available exclusively at Rula Bula for $10 each while they last. All proceeds benefit the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Ken Kobs, a member of Team Tillman New York, checks out a Guinness Beach Cruiser at last week's Pints for Pat silent auction.

“Pints for Pat” also featured a silent auction that raised approximately $4,000 for the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Rula Bula was an establishment frequented by Pat during his time in Tempe. Following his death in 2004, some of Pat’s friends would order a pint of Guinness whenever they visited the pub and leave the pint sitting untouched on the bar as a tribute to Pat – thus the “Pints for Pat” idea was born.

Tillman Military Scholar Rudy Rickner, Pat Tillman Foundation supporter Bill Murphy and PTF Board members Alex Garwood & Chris Hart (along with daughters Maya and Zoe Hart) took part in the 408K.

Among the participants in the 8K race were Tillman Military Scholar Rudy Rickner and Pat Tillman Foundation Board members Alex Garwood and Chris Hart.

The event started at HP Pavilion and ran alongside San Jose’s Municipal Rose Garden, the scene of Pat’s memorial service. The San Jose Mercury News featured this article on the 408K.

This past week I had the privilege of attending Inc. Magazine’s GrowCo event in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was quite an experience! As a Tillman Military Scholar, I was selected, along with fellow TMS Tim Smith, to attend as part of Inc.’s Military Entrepreneurs program (ME). The ME Program, in its first year, has provided access to this event as well as the Inc. 500/5000 conference, which was held in D.C. this past September.

Tillman Military Scholars Rick Schumacher and Tim Smith tour the Intralox factory in New Orleans at the start of Inc.'s GrowCo conference.

I started the week off with a very early flight out of Austin, arriving in NOLA at around 9:00 a.m. and meeting up with Tim for some obligatory brunch and a walk down Bourbon. Just in time, we met up with the delegation and were fortunate enough to go on a tour of Intralox, a company that manufactures plastic formed conveyor belts for every purpose imaginable. From there we met up with the GrowCo attendees and mingled. Finally, Hunter Riley took Tim and I to eat at a favorite local food spot called Mississippi River Bottom (MRB).

The next morning we were in for some great speakers and abundant learning opportunities. The speakers included some of the brightest minds in business like Dr. Alexander Osterwalder, Neil Blumenthal, Jay Lapeyre, Chef John Besh and the indescribable Norm Brodsky. Additionally, we had a personal meeting with Shark Tank personality, Daymond John, the creator of the FUBU brand. We also had the opportunity to listen to political powerhouses like New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and, amazingly, President Bill Clinton. These speakers were each outstanding and having the opportunity to listen to them was really what being a Tillman Military Scholar is all about for me. The Foundation gives me opportunities that I would not otherwise have.

Pat Tillman Foundation Director of Programs Hunter I Riley (left) and Tillman Military Scholar Rick Schumacher (right) met with FUBU brand creator Daymond John at Inc. Magazine's GrowCo conference in New Orleans.

Most importantly, I had the opportunity to network with other veterans and military spouses as well as 500 other business owners. We had opportunities to be advised by successful business owners and exchange ideas with a mentor; mine who I’ve already exchanged emails with after leaving the conference. Thanks to the Pat Tillman Foundation, this has been one heck of an opportunity – one that will help shape the formation of my business for years to come.

Last Friday, I joined about a hundred Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff at the keynote address of Habitat for Humanity International’s Legislative and Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., also dubbed Habitat on the Hill. The keynote speaker was Colonel David Sutherland who serves as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was speaking at Habitat on the Hill to address the attendees on warrior and family support as Habitat launches their nationwide veterans initiative.

I attended the event with fellow Tillman Military Scholars Meghan Lucas and Brett Gibson. We were honored as Colonel Sutherland recognized us as Tillman Military Scholars during his speech. The Colonel spoke about his job as champion of veteran support for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. It’s a big job and one that he finds rewarding and critical, particularly with so many veterans coming back from deployment in the current world climate.

Tillman Military Scholars Kenneth Ferrera, Meghan Lucas and Brett Gibson with Colonel David Sutherland.

After the speech, the Tillman Military Scholars had coffee with Colonel Sutherland. During our discussion, I learned we spent time at the same base in Iraq and knew some of the same people. He invited me to attend another speaking event with him the next day, which I accepted, at the American Academy of Physician Assistants, in Alexandria, VA. I begin Physician Assistant School at the University of Washington this summer, so it was quite a coincidence to attend this event with Colonel Sutherland.

This is a great example of how we as Tillman Military Scholars can use our influence to support these kinds of events and to promote the Pat Tillman Foundation, even after graduation. As more of us find ourselves away from school and in the real world, we can take the opportunities we get and put Pat’s name and the mission of the Foundation out there to make good things happen for others, just like the Foundation has done for us.

TMS Dane Parker and April Ellsworth working in Vet Court.

The University of Arizona Tillman Military Scholar law students also help the Vet Court’s presiding judge, Hon. Michael Pollard (a Vietnam vet), with the Tucson Stand Down and provide a continuing legal education session to Arizona’s attorneys in order to help lawyers understand veterans as clients.

TMS April Ellsworth with Judge Pollard at the Tucson Stand Down.

Next semester, they will begin appeals of denials of VA benefits and assist Arizona’s Native vet population with legal matters specific to the Tribes.

The veteran’s advocacy center is being directed by alumni TMS and recent Rogers College of Law graduate Kris Carlson.

Tillman Military Scholars April Ellsworth, Matt Randle, Kris Carlson and Dane Parker in the Vet Clinic office at Rogers College of Law.

Service and Awareness Events

New York City

New York City Tillman Military Scholars joined with MissionServe, Bank of America and HBO, along with PTF staff members, to prepare emergency packets for homeless veterans in the city. Before the project, they also braved the cold to talk about their efforts on Good Morning America.

TMS Rudy Rickner (right) joins fellow Veterans Day volunteers on Good Morning America.

People Magazine Photo Shoot

NYU TMS Korey Calloway and Lyndsey Anderson joined PTF President Marie Tillman for a People Magazine photo shoot for a “Heroes Among Us” article.

TMS Korey Calloway and Lyndsey Anderson with Marie Tillman.

Blue Bloods Set Visit

PTF Program Coordinator Cara Hammer joined Team Tillman and PTF partner veterans on set in Brooklyn with Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck and Bridget Moynahan.

PTF Program Coordinator Cara Hammer with Tom Selleck and PTF veteran supporters.

San Diego

Robin, Yana and her husband Arthur prepared lunch and dinner for the residents of the Veterans Village of San Diego while they marched in the San Diego County Veterans Day Parade. When the residents returned, TMS served lunch to over 300 residents and family members alongside some of VVSD’s current residents. Later, there was a brief ceremony/celebration of the Marine Corps’ 236th Birthday with Arthur being asked to help cut the cake as he was the youngest Marine on site. For those not familiar with Marine Corps Birthday tradition, the oldest Marine and youngest Marine take part in cutting the birthday cake.

TMS Robin Williams (middle left) and Yana Mukvich (right) with Yana's husband Arthur.

Los Angeles

Along with other volunteers, TMS Nicole Hart, Peter Thomas and Tristan Dyer planted approximately 40 Valencia trees at the VA Westwood campus in Los Angeles. As Nicole states it, “The energy of the day was rich with the willingness to serve; to give back to those, past and present, who have given so much to this country. It was an honor to be a part of such a day!”

TMS Nicole Hart, Peter Thomas and Tristan Dyer (with friend).

Tampa Bay

A week prior to Veterans Day, TMS Dave Warden, Grey Leonard and Josiah Hill rehabbed stables and riding areas for the Quantum Leap Farms, an equine therapy center serving disabled children and military in the Tampa area.

TMS Dave Warden and Josiah Hill.

University of South Florida

TMS Grey Leonard was the Master of Ceremonies as members of the Special Operations Parachute Demonstration Team kicked off the second annual Veterans Week Celebration at the University of South Florida Tuesday with a drop on the green next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.

TMS Grey Leonard.

Michigan

University of Michigan-Flint TMS Kyle Caywood and Tiffany Johnson were recognized by their Chancellor at the Veterans Day program – where Kyle served as MC. Later the next week, they met up with University of Michigan TMS John Shriver and Lindsay Compton to discuss Pat’s Run in April 2012.

Michigan TMS Kyle Caywood, John Shriver, Tiffany Johnson and Lindsay Compton.

Baltimore

TMS Rich Blake spoke with WYPR – Baltimore’s local NPR station – about Veterans Day and the work he and fellow veterans are conducting in local Baltimore neighborhoods. Listen to Rich’s interview.

TMS Rick Blake (2nd from left) in studio at Baltimore's WYPR.

University of Maryland

TMS Shelly Burgoyne spoke at the University of Maryland’s annual Veterans Day celebration.

Look for her at the end of this video.

Harvard

Harvard Business School’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, spearheaded by TMS Danny Cho, welcomed 300 people to the HBS’s Armed Forces Alumni Association “Leadership Through Service” celebration and reception. Danny gave the welcoming speech, followed by Ian Walsh, SVP of Textron Systems and the club’s founding member, and Charles Bolden, the current NASA Administrator spoke about their views on what it means to be a veteran and what value veterans bring to the workforce.

TMS Danny Cho.

San Jose

Pat Tillman Foundation board member Alex Garwood participated in an honorary puck drop when the San Jose Sharks hosted the Phoenix Coyotes over Veterans Day weekend.

PTF Board Member Alex Garwood drops the opening puck. Pictured here with team captains Joe Thornton and Shane Doan.

Public Recognitions

Tillman Military Scholars were publicly recognized for Veterans Day on campuses across the country:

PTF Program Coordinator (center) with University of Maryland TMS Roel Mora, Kevin Kim, Josie O’Regan and Louis Thorne at the 4th Annual Veterans Reception.

San Diego State University TMS Yana Mukvich and Robin Williams recognized during the SDSU vs. University of Wyoming football game.

University of Oregon TMS Jeff Meray, Bryan Boender, Ryan Williams and Kelly Christensen recognized at the Veterans Day Ceremony.

Texas A&M University TMS Susan Stallings, Marisela Spangler and Cameron McCoy are recognized at the Veterans Day Brunch.

PTF Director of Programs Hunter I Riley alongside Mississippi State University TMS Mark Edwards, Janice Cunningham, Trish Pohlhaus, Ryan Bear, Samantha Hill and Catherine Turner at Veterans Day Scholarship Dinner.

University of South Florida TMS Josiah Hill, Dave Warden and Grey Leonard are recognized on the field at the USF vs. University of Miami football game.

University of Arizona TMS April Ellsworth, Martin Stahl and Matt Randle are recognized on the field at the Arizona State vs. Arizona football game (standing next to the PT42 gate).

To top off Veterans Day celebrations and events, NFL-Tillman Military Scholar D’Onior Felton will be recognized on the field at the December 11 Washington Redskins game.

TMS Roel Mora, Brian Wotring and Caleb Lesselles support fellow TMS Liz O'Herrin during the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon.

Out on the courses to cheer them on were Tillman Military Scholars and Pat Tillman Foundation staff members – showing appreciation for the marathoners and carrying them through the race with encouragement. The following Tillman Military Scholars also joined the ranks of Team Tillman marathoners:

Steve Buchanan, Bank of America Chicago Marathon: 4:26:58

Elizabeth O’Herrin, Marine Corps Marathon: 5:29:31

Michael Trent, ING New York City Marathon: 3:06:41