Note: The Pat Tillman Foundation is a non-political, non-partisan organization. Recently, through our partnership with Got Your 6, several Tillman Military Scholars had the opportunity to attend both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

Edward Woodward at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL

Through Got Your 6, I was fortunate to attend portions of the RNC along with fellow Tillman Military Scholars Dave Warden, Josiah Hill and Grey Leonard, along with our wives/girlfriends. We attended the Got Your 6 event Wednesday night, a concert that featured Sara Evans and a brief speech by Meghan McCain, daughter of Arizona Senator John McCain. Josiah and I were able to meet Senator McCain and get a photo. Sara Evans was outstanding and the event was a tribute to the success Got Your 6 is having in creating opportunities for veterans and civilians to join together to reinvigorate our community.

Arizona Senator John McCain and TMS Ed Woodward in Tampa.

We had a great experience in Tampa, having not had an opportunity to get together since the Pat Tillman Leadership Summit. It was refreshing to see everyone in the tremendous setting the Got Your 6 event provided. The entire experience reinforces the overwhelming feeling of gratitude I feel to be a part of the Tillman Community. These events provide tangible results to all the hard work that is being done to help and support our nation’s veterans as they come back and reintegrate into society.

TMS Josiah Hill with Brianna Venable at the RNC Got Your 6 event in Tampa.

John Larch at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC

My wife and I attended various Democratic National Convention activities in North Carolina.

On Monday, we visited Carolina Fest downtown, listened to live music and enjoyed the many vendors. My wife had the good fortune to meet Georgia Congressman John Lewis, a well-known civil rights leader.

Mary Ann Larch with Congressman Lewis at the DNC in Charlotte.

On Wednesday, we attended the Veterans & Military Families Council Caucus. Speakers included Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, a Medal of Honor recipient, and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden. By coincidence, Chris Marvin, Managing Director of Got Your 6, happened to sit next to me during this caucus meeting. Talk about a small world! While I was talking with Chris, my wife slipped away and managed to cross paths with Dr. Biden!

TMS John Larch and his wife Mary Ann at the DNC Got Your 6 event in Charlotte.

That evening, we attended the Flo Rida concert, watching from VIP seating a great show and upbeat crowd. The entire experience was eye opening and enlightening.