Behind the Mask: Valiant

Q: What does your call sign mean to you?

A: The quality that our wounded veterans and law enforcement possess to continue to conquer each day and strive to better themselves despite what issues they are going through.

Q: In what branch of the military did you serve (or are currently serving in) and for how long?

A: Army, 6 years.

Q: What drew you to OEW?

A: After separating from the Army I had a feeling that something was missing. It was the sense of camaraderie and being a part of a team. I was watching too many of my fellow soldiers that I served lose their lives and knew that there was something I needed to do. I was doing a Spartan race and saw the MAT team moving throughout the course supporting their AA. I went home and looked up the organization. After looking through the OEW website and Facebook, I was astounded. The selflessness of everyone in the organization to do whatever they can in their power to ensure that our nations veterans have a better quality of life and regain their since of purpose was incredible. At that point, I knew that this was a team I wanted to be on.

Q: Why did you commit to the Masked Athlete program?

A: I want to give back to those that have given so much. Also, since being out of the Army I have had a void in my life and I knew that the MAT was where I needed to be.

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Q: What is the best thing about being a MAT member?

A: Getting to meet our wounded veterans and law enforcement personnel. I enjoy hearing their stories and how they persevere through obstacles in their life.

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Q: What is the most challenging thing about being a MAT member?

A: Keeping in mind that being a MAT member is such a small part of OEW. Being an OCA is far more important and is the backbone of OEW. You need to keep informing people of our mission and continue to network to grow the organization.

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Q: Describe your most unforgettable moment during an event.

A: It was a 2018 Spartan Sprint. Biggest challenge was to ensure that our AA made it through the course without injury. Due to his paralysis he was prone to bruising very easily. As we all know, all Spartan obstacle course races are known for giving people "Spartan Kisses." The AA's wife was very adamant about making sure that he was watched out for carefully. Then at the end of the race, as she realized that he was unharmed and she was able to complete the race herself, gave them both a since of relief. You could tell that they were both in such a state of enjoyment that it was contagious to everyone around them.

Q: What piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a MAT member?

A: You need to find your why. If you don’t know why you want to be a MAT member then you will not succeed.

Check out our new Spotify channel! Each Call Sign will share their own playlists of music that gets them pumped for action or helps them chill during their workday. Follow our channel and receive updates whenever new playlists are posted!

Check out Valiant's playlist here.

About INDOC: The application process to apply for the Masked Athlete Team Warrior INDOC opens on an as-needed basis for a short window of submission. Requirements are men or women with military or LEO experience. Announcements are made via social media. Follow our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts and check back frequently for our open enrollment announcement.

Operation Enduring Warrior Named Official Charity Partner for Warrior Challenge at Lake Barkley

Kuttawa KY Tourism, producers of the newly created Warrior Challenge, announced today a partnership with Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW), naming OEW as the Official Charity Partner of their 2018 obstacle race challenge to be held on Saturday, October 6 in Kuttawa, KY. In addition, they have partnered with Mark Ballas of Green Beret Challenge to produce this inaugural event. Proceeds from the Warrior Challenge will be donated to Operation Enduring Warrior in support of their mission to honor, empower and motivate America’s wounded military and law enforcement veterans.

"Operation Enduring Warrior is excited to have been selected as the Charity Partner for this patriotic and challenging new event series,” states Kelly Farmer, VP of Communication for the organization. “Our organization strives to assist our Adaptive Athletes in stepping outside of their comfort zones and challenging themselves in seemingly impossible ways. All of our programming is designed to allow our adaptive athletes to remain physically active and mentally challenged. We are delighted to cultivate this new partnership in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky and to help share our mission and grow our support across the nation. The 2018 Warrior Challenge fits well within with our programming goals and is a partnership we hope to continue in future years."

About Warrior Challenge:

Warrior Challenge Lake Barkley will host a fun and muddy 3k obstacle course/mud run designed by Mark Ballas of Green Beret Challenge. There will be an elite wave for prizes, open wave for the fun runners and finishing out the morning with a team wave. The course is laid out over several acres of rolling hills for a fun, but fast paced race.

“Kuttawa Tourism Commission is very excited to be partnering with Operation Enduring Warrior. Some of our commissioners are veterans so we truly felt compelled to have an event not only to honor veterans, but to also find a way to give back to these men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country - OEW has given us that avenue.” Says Mary Sewell, Director of Kuttawa’s Tourism Commission. “Former Special Forces Green Beret, Mark Ballas founder & CEO of Green Beret Challenge, is building the Warrior Challenge course for us. After a day in the mud, a music event featuring Shaman’s Harvest, 10 Years and All That Remains will happen that evening. It’s all being done to honor those who deserve it most. We really couldn’t be more proud!”

Register TODAY to run with OEW!

Live On The Lawn:

The fun doesn't have to stop when the finish line is reached! Complete your day at Live on the Lawn produced by Filthy Nasty Productions and hosted by Kuttawa Tourism. Join us for a concert featuring All That Remains, 10 Years, Shaman's Harvest, among others. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $30.00 in advance.

Concert tickets are ON SALE now: purchase here!

Follow the concert EVENT PAGE here!

Charity Partnership Raises Over $25K for Operation Enduring Warrior

A team of friends known as South Hills Association of Tailgaters (SHAT), who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, have proven their loyalty to Operation Enduring Warrior once again. Their Annual Golf Outing has raised more than $25,000 in total for the charity. Bruce Fuscaldo, a civilian, has participated in many events with OEW and is the key that has connected these two entities. Once introduced, SHAT embraced the need and will to support our wounded military any way they can.

The Annual SHAT Golf Outing held on July 21 has been hosted by Village Green Golf Course in Hickory PA four years in a row. The 2018 event provided a day of golfing, food and drink for the military-loving golfers. Through the event there were many donations and hole sponsors helping to elevate this year’s overall total of $7,500. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) donated $1,500 collaborated by Ron Bauer and Marcia Tongel, Noblestown Shop & Save donated water and soft drinks, Ted Thompson’s Heating and Cooling provided hours of planning and research plus a cash donation to make a great outing, all orchestrated by Joe and Tammy Speeler. Cart giveaways provided for the golfers in their SHAT drawstring bag included: Shat Under Armor hat, OEW wristband and SHAT golf balls. Additional funds were raised with the help of Asian Auctions by such prizes as an autographed football of James Harrison, a PS4, many restaurant gift cards, lottery tickets, cash prizes, and four fantastic baskets donated by Jason Oskamp from a high quality cigar basket to Pitt University gear.

Prior to the event start all foursomes posed for team pictures in front of an OEW backdrop. Each team member was presented a framed copy during the dinner. OEW representative, Jonathan “Hedgy” Pollitz, drove 2 hours from Cleveland to meet the golfers. He painted a picture of how SHAT contributions have helped change the life of one Adaptive Athlete in particular. He shared the story of Reuben who, once completing skydive training, was able to drop out of a plane with his girlfriend where he landed first and pulled out a “Will You Marry Me” flag. The ripple effect from SHAT to OEW has created many friendships and played a small part in a couple to be married.

SHAT initially started the golf outing for Harv Kappeler who served in Vietnam. His family continues to represent and honor his service. Four years ago OEW was added to the Promotional Golf Outing and is going stronger each year. This event wouldn’t be successful without the help of the many who coordinate all that needs to be done! Thank you goes out to: Krista Dankowsky for pictures, Christy Bonnetti & Kim Thompson for set ups, closest to the pin, and distributions of prizes, Mark Thompson and Paul Bonnetti for calculation of scores, Sean Williams who donated $1000 and produced signage by CDI Printing for Hole Sponsors, and John Butchko and Dan Savage for Public Relations & orchestrations.

SHAT is ready for 2019 already and striving to make more money and memories for our beloved OEW members!