Dear Friends,
At this moment, there is a SEAL operating in a remote part of the globe, in silence and in darkness, protecting the safety and freedom of our country. Now, in these unprecedented times of conflict, it’s clear that our Naval Special Warfare operators have never been more important or valued. That’s why we’re here tonight, to honor these brave men and women at the 11th annual Navy SEAL Foundation Midwest Evening of Tribute.
Your support for tonight’s sold-out and record-setting event reflects our commitment to the Naval Special Warfare Community, their families and our appreciation for their service.
Throughout this evening, we’ll have the honor of presenting two awards, including the 2022 Fire in the Gut Award to the former U.S. Afghan interpreters. This courageous group aided U.S. troops as interpreters, protective detail and in other capacities while the U.S. was in Afghanistan. For helping our country, many of these interpreters have been killed since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. We owe these heroes a debt of gratitude beyond anything we could possibly put into words.
We’ll also present the 2022 Patriot Award to Shirley and Patrick Ryan, two passionate individuals who have dedicated their lives to improving both Chicago and our nation.
Finally, to wrap up the event, we’ll be joined by Mike Pompeo, the 70th Secretary of State and former CIA Director, where he’ll discuss his storied career, global affairs and more.
Anna and I are honored to serve as chairs and to welcome you to this event. We are deeply grateful for your commitment. It’s because of your support that the Navy SEAL Foundation is able to provide a comprehensive set of programs for our special warfare operators and their families, and tonight’s event helps ensure we can support this special group for years to come.
Thank you for your contributions to this tribute, and thank you for being a part of our team.
With deep appreciation, Anna & Greg Brown 2021 and 2022 Event Chairs
