Kevin Gatson Army Sergeant Kevin Gatson’s story began in Durant, Mississippi, where he was raised by his grandmother in a home filled with the love of a large, busy, tight knit family. […]
Urbano Rodriguez Jr. Denton Police Department Patrol Officer Urbano Rodriguez Jr. was born and raised in Seguin, Texas. He grew up a middle child with two sisters and enjoyed playing golf, attending shop […]
Jaime Morales United States Marine Corps Corporal and Scott County Sheriff’s Deputy Jaime Morales was born in Colombia and grew up in Florida. His childhood was hectic, albeit fun, as he enjoyed […]
Mario McKenna United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Mario McKenna was born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in East Providence, Rhode Island. McKenna grew up moving around a lot and was […]
Wade Palmer Montana Highway Patrol State Trooper Wade Palmer was born and raised in Missoula, Montana. His childhood was typical, as he loved to play video games, football, ride bikes, hunt, and […]
James “Carl” Sampson United States Army Sergeant James “Carl” Sampson was born in Picayune, Mississippi and raised in the small town of Salem, Mississippi. The eldest of three boys, he and his younger […]
Sean Acker February 4, 2026, Statement on the Passing of Sean Acker It is with great sadness that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation hears of the passing of our dear friend and Smart […]
Saheed Hamid United States Army Sergeant Major E9 Saheed Hamid was born in Georgetown, Guyana. He is the oldest of three sons to parents who were skilled tailors. However, dreaming of more […]
Michael McCutchan New York State Attorney General’s Office Detective Michael McCutchan was born in Roslyn, New York and raised in Mineola, New York, along with his three older siblings, Tom, Kathy, and […]
Bret Menard United States Army Specialist Bret Jacob Menard was born in New Iberia, Louisiana and was raised by his mother in a single parent household. As a child Menard was extremely […]
Jerry Wayne Padgett II United States Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry Wayne Padgett II was born in Odessa, Texas and raised in Canoga Park, California. Growing up, Padgett could be found spending most […]
Jack Fanning United States Air Force Special Operations Combat Controller Jack Fanning joined the military in 1997 and prospered in a pipeline of vigorous schools, including Combat Dive School, Air Traffic Control […]
Dustin Magner United States Army Sergeant First Class Dustin Magner was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and raised in rural northeast Oklahoma, attending middle and high school in Prue, Oklahoma. He describes […]
Brian Frank Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank was born and raised in Oak Forest, Illinois. He grew up with his mother, his father, and his older sister, Erin. Brian was very […]
Laurie Wood United States Navy Corporal and Norfolk Sheriff’s Officer Laurie Wood was born in Plattsburgh, New York and raised in the small town of Peru, New York. Her childhood was fun, […]
David Christopher United States Army Captain David Neil Christopher was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and was raised there until the age of eight before relocating with his family to Northern Alabama and […]
Andres Gonzalez Jr. New Orleans Police Department Police Officer 1 and Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office Deputy Andres Gonzalez Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Kenner, Louisiana. Gonzalez grew […]
Teddy Go Tan United States Navy Commander CDR Teddy Go Tan was born in Manila, Philippines. He is the fourth of six children, born to parents who instilled in him and his siblings […]
Cory Muzzy United States Army Sergeant Cory Jason Muzzy was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was raised mostly in Greenville, Michigan. As a child, Muzzy enjoyed playing outside with friends, playing video […]
Jerry Johs Corporal Jerry Johs was born in White Fish, Montana and raised in Southeast Portland, Oregon alongside his older sister and twin brother. As a young man, Johs enjoyed working with […]
Jonathan Turnbull Jonathan Turnbull enlisted in the United States Army soon after graduating from Gaylord High School in 2005. He was deployed once to Afghanistan, twice to Jordan, once to Lebanon, and […]
Adam Mayo United States Marine Corps Sergeant Adam D. Mayo was born in Fort Worth, Texas and grew up in Springtown, Texas along with his two brothers. His parents were very hard-working […]
John Passaro New Orleans Police Department Police Officer II John P. Passaro was born in Killeen, Texas and raised in Slidell, Louisiana. Passaro enjoyed his childhood, enjoying the company of his older […]
John Crabtree United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer John Crabtree was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Ohio, Mississippi, and Texas. Having grown up in a fun and loving Christian […]
Devin Kugler Lance Corporal Devin Paul Kugler was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. Kugler recounts that some of his favorite childhood memories include hunting and fishing with his father, despite […]
Joel Steinbach United States Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Joel Steinbach was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and raised in Mount Rainier, Maryland. He was very active as a child, playing basketball […]
James Donaldson United States Army Specialist James Donaldson was born in Spokane, Washington. He was raised in Mountain Home, Idaho in a very poor and toxic household. As a child he was […]
Tonya Andrews United States Air Force Captain Tonya Andrews was diagnosed with service related multiple sclerosis, resulting in paralysis. After seven years of rehab and physical therapy, Andrews can walk short distances. […]
Jerome Rillera United States Army Specialist Jerome Rillera was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up living in many states across the country including New Jersey, Ohio, and Florida. As a child […]
Noah White United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Noah White was born in Denver, Colorado and was raised in Bangor, Maine by his mother and father. He grew up alongside his two […]
