This is more than an event to me… it is a mission.  With 8 years of serving warriors and their families through Warrior Spirit Project, a nonprofit I founded in 2015, I have been able to connect with so many amazing people who do not consider themselves "heroes".  But they are.  Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, those who live with physical or invisible wounds, and those who keep moving forward day by day despite all obstacles, are all heroes in my eyes.  We love them.  They are our warrior family.  

The Honor Mat in this picture stands for the following:

The Helmet represents the warrior in military service and the vest represents the warrior in public service as a first responder.

The Boots represent the oath and commitment to go wherever duty calls, to stand against forces that would harm the rest of us.

 The Mat is white to symbolize the purity of the warrior's motive when answering the call to serve.

 The Single Red Rose reminds us of the lives of these Americans, and of their families and friends who keep the faith while seeking answers in times of loss.

The Salt Lamp symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families, and the light of hope for those who struggle.

The mat is unoccupied but always available for the one who can't be here with us today.

Will you join me in this mission?  Thank you for caring and for carrying!