National Veteran Organization Hosts a Gala Recognizing Leaders of Character and Service

PHILADELPHIA, December 8, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one of the nation's largest nonprofit veteran service organizations, will host the 10th annual "If Not Me, Then Who…" Gala, presented by Johnson & Johnson, on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, at the historic Union League of Philadelphia. This black-tie event, serving as a national recognition of character and leadership, will feature attendees from across the country who are being honored for their dedication to selfless service within their local communities and around the globe. 

The evening -- which is open to the media -- will begin with a VIP reception at 6:00 p.m. ET followed by the full program starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

This year's award recipients and special guests include:

• Jenna Lee -- Master of Ceremonies, Founder, SmartHER News
• Charles "Chuck" Segel -- "IF NOT ME, THEN WHO..." Leadership Award Recipient, Marine Corps Veteran who served alongside 1stLt Travis Manion, USMC
• Kyle Carpenter -- Guest of Honor, Marine Corps Veteran and youngest Medal of Honor recipient, our country's highest military honor
• Patrik Frisk -- Community Leadership Award Recipient, Chief Executive Officer/President, Under Armour
• Gentlemen of Vision -- Featured Performance, a community-based after school program focused on service and teaching veteran-led lessons through dance to young men in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Additionally, special appearances are expected by General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., USMC (Ret.), 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and TMF Board Member; Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson and TMF Board Member. 

Top level sponsors for this inspirational evening include Johnson & Johnson, The Morel Family Foundation, Amazon, Advanced Aviation Team, The Boeing Company, Carlyle Group, Comcast, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs and Co., Penn Medicine, The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, PNC Bank, Polen Capital, Poretta & Orr Inc., UBS, Under Armour, and Wounded Warrior Project. 

To see a video recap from the last in-person "If Not Me, Then Who…" Gala in 2019, click here.  

About TMF: Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) unites communities to strengthen America's national character by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop and lead future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation's heroes lives on in the next generation.

The story of 1st Lt Travis Manion and his Naval Academy brother LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney have been publicized in the book Brothers Forever, and additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.travismanion.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Donovan, TMF Director of Public Relations. [email protected], (610) 220-1441.

Source: Travis Manion Foundation