Last weekend, a dozen Tillman Military Scholars met in Eugene, Oregon, on the campus of the University of Oregon for the Tillman Military Scholars Northwest Regional Gathering. The cool wet climate of the Pacific Northwest provided a change of pace for Scholars traveling from as far away as Texas and Arizona. In between workshops covering team building, leadership, career decisions and effective communication, Scholars worked hard to spruce up a low income housing complex, toured the first-class Oregon Duck athletic facilities, and spent time building the Tillman Community network.

Tillman Military Scholars take part in leadership training and team building activities at the University of Oregon.

To kick off the weekend, we met on Friday night for dinner in the atrium of the John Jaqua Academic Center and were introduced to leadership expert Bill Grace, who provided an illuminating experience as he helped us look within ourselves to find our core values – a theme that would continue throughout the weekend. Saturday morning we met for an incredible team building workshop with Nancy Heapes. Group juggling, flipping a parachute and placing a ball in a bucket seem like simple enough tasks; however, they proved difficult for a group of leaders. Some of us found our voice while others found our “mute button.” We all found friends and all of us left for lunch hungry. After dinning on Sy’s world famous pizza, we met with Bill Grace for a second time. Bill is an amazing speaker. It is impossible for me to accurately depict the intensity of our discussions. But, by the end of the afternoon we were all contemplating how we can use our core values in order to work towards the “common good.”

Later Saturday afternoon we had the opportunity to tour the un-paralleled Duck athletic facilities. Walking down the tunnel that my Ducks traverse prior to each game was, I hope, as exciting for everyone else as it was for me! However, the training tables covered in Maserati leather, the underwater treadmills and the 117,000 square-foot indoor football field all took a back seat to the 2012 Pac-12 and Rose Bowl trophies!

Tillman Military Scholars stop for a photo on the 50-yard line of Autzen Stadium during a tour the University of Oregon athletic facilities.

Sunday morning Scholars attended workshops on career development and effective communication. In the afternoon the Tillman Military Scholars teamed with approximately 25 volunteers from the UO Law School’s Public Interest Public Service program (PIPS) to serve a low-income housing complex operated by St. Vincent de Paul. Scholars and PIPS volunteers painted a community room and laundry facility, removed weeds and laid bark-mulch in playground areas and around buildings. They also began preparations for a raised community garden to be used in the near future by residents of the complex.

Tillman Military Scholars lead a service effort at St. Vincent de Paul's veterans housing.

Scholars ended the weekend with a tour of the Rogue Brewery in downtown Eugene. Dinner provided one last opportunity for Scholars to swap stories and build relationships. The weekend gathering was filled with fun engaging activities that provided, at least for me, plenty of life-defining moments. I can only hope to be a part of another Regional Gathering soon!

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.

(LtoR) Mike Bryant, Charles Pease, Keeley Tatum, Brandon Stuckey, Samantha Hill, Mark Edwards, Jordan Lohman, Catherine Turner, Janice Cunningham and Hunter I Riley attend a Tillman Military Scholar recognition dinner at Mississippi State University.

In addition to this weekend’s activities, the Pat Tillman Foundation and Tillman Military Scholars (“TMS”) honored our nation’s active and veteran servicemembers and military families in a variety of ways leading up to Veterans Day.

From service – among other projects, TMS Antoinette Bardunias joined The Mission Continues to fix up a school playground in Philadelphia.

To press – Marie Tillman made an appearance on The Today Show on Veterans Day to discuss the work of the Foundation.

To performing – TMS Rich Blake emceed the event “Home: A Veteran’s Day Tribute” in Baltimore.

To running – TMS Ryan Reynolds ran a 5K in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to support our national cemeteries.

To the launch of the Foundation text campaign – Marie and Arizona Cardinal Darnell Dockett asked the fans at the Cardinals vs. Seahawks game to give back.

To the opening of Pat’s Run registration – sign up here.

To public recognitions – among others, the five University of Oregon Tillman Military Scholars were honored by President Lariviere and the two Cleveland State University Tillman Military Scholars were recognized by the State of Ohio, the Cuyahoga Community Veterans Service Commission and their institution at a ceremony held at Cleveland City Hall.

(LtoR) Samuel Bennett, Bryan Boender, Kelly Christensen, Justin Jangraw and Caleb Lesselles on stage with President Lariviere to be publicly acknowledged as the University of Oregon’s five 2010-2011 Tillman Military Scholars.

In total, over 20 Tillman Military Scholars participated in service over the past two weeks ranging from planting trees at a Washington, D.C. elementary school to volunteering at the Oklahoma Veteran’s Home. And over 25 Tillman Military Scholars led or participated in recognition ceremonies, parades and events.