Testimonials
“Spirit of America’s unique capability is figuring out what needs to be done and doing it. It has truly saved lives. It has been worth its weight in gold.”
– General (Ret.) James N. Mattis, Former Secretary of Defense; US Marine Corps (2015)
“Without our citizens we are fighting with one hand tied behind our back. Working together is the only way we will prevail.”
– General (Ret.) Joseph F. Dunford Jr., Former Chairman , Joint Chiefs of Staff; US Marine Corps (2020)
“It will take all of us working together to address these challenges. That’s what Spirit of America is so good at. Spirit of America is patriotism without politics.”
– Hon. Michèle Flournoy, Former Undersecretary of Defense (2021)
“I’ve witnessed Spirit of America contribute in every kind of situation — keeping our troops and diplomats safe in war zones, preventing conflict with proactive assistance in West Africa, supporting America’s friends in the fight in Ukraine and Iraqi Kurdistan, and helping those who serve abroad show the world the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.”
– General (Ret.) Joseph Dunford Jr. (2020)
“When an operational leader chooses to put a Spirit of America team member in one of his vehicles or helicopters, it means the Spirit of America person is deemed essential to mission success. Spirit of America is a trusted and valued partner of special operations forces.”
– Admiral (Ret.) Eric Olson, Former Commander, US Special Operations Command; US Navy (2018)
“Think of Spirit of America as a philanthropic rapid response team, providing humanitarian and economic assistance in response to US troops and diplomats and in support of our nation’s interests.”
– General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal, US Army (2011)
“Spirit of America is breaking the paradigm. Instead of simply operating side-by-side government agencies, or on contract to them, Spirit of America was established in 2003 to explicitly address the needs which military personnel encountered.”
– Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis, Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe; US Navy (2011)
“Spirit of America is America at its very best.”
– Senator John McCain (2010)
“Spirit of America rapidly diagnoses and solves problems. They aggressively close the vision/execution and say/do gaps. Spirit of America’s entrepreneurial capability is the perfect complement to our troops and diplomats.”
– General (Ret.) James N. Mattis (2021)
“In situations that require speed and audacity, Spirit of America has proven over and over again that it can and will help our forces answer an emerging need to prevent a crisis. Spirit of America’s agility and ingenuity fit perfectly with the mission requirements and mindset of special operations forces.”
– Admiral (Ret.) Eric Olson (2018)
“I think of Spirit of America as venture capital. They gave me a flexibility government funding would never allow. Spirit of America is incredibly effective at making us more effective.”
– General (Ret.) James N. Mattis (2011)
“I personally witnessed the tremendous Spirit of America work in West Africa. The Spirit of America team was helping US Special Operations Forces prevent war by reducing the influence of extremism. Spirit of America’s impact was immediate. Their support played a crucial role in preventing war for 10 years. That’s an incredible record of success in Africa, where terrorist organizations are gaining ground and Russia and China are exploiting unrest.”
– General (Ret.) Richard Clarke, Former Commander, US Special Operations Command; US Army (2023)
“Spirit of America is filling mission-critical gaps. Their speed and flexibility have an extraordinary impact. They are saving lives.”
– Ambassador William Taylor (2023)
“There is no other organization like Spirit of America. I’ve never received that level of support and that sort of timeline in my 20 plus years in the Army. Short of picking up arms and joining us hand-in-hand there’s no better way to support the troops.”
– Master Sergeant (Ret.) Aaron Zwosta, US Army Special Forces (2018)
“The courage, skill, dignity, and compassion the Spirit of America team brought to the largest airlift operation in history was remarkable. Spirit of America embodies precisely what America stands for, and the organization and its team are why the world looks to America to lead.”
– Ambassador Greta Holtz (2021)
“Spirit of America has expanded their work to supporting our diplomats and the nation’s top priorities abroad. At a time when the world’s challenges are increasing and becoming more complex, their efforts to preserve the promise of a free and better life outside of military conflict zones is critically important.”
– Hon. Michèle Flournoy (2021)
“I’ve served in muddy foxholes and at the highest levels of government. Believe me: With the growing challenges and adversaries we face, Spirit of America’s capability is exactly what we need.”
– General (Ret.) James N. Mattis (2021)
“Spirit of America represents a new capability — not just another nonprofit. Spirit of America has figured out how to deliver the power of American citizens and the private sector directly to our troops and diplomats on the front lines. Its entrepreneurial private-public model is a game changer. And it works. It helps America win by bringing the very best of the American people around the world.”
– General (Ret.) Joseph Dunford Jr. (2020)
“Spirit of America is doing the most humanitarian thing possible in Ukraine: helping to stop the suffering at its source.”
– Lt. General (Ret.) Ben Hodges, Former Commander, US Army Europe (2022)
“Spirit of America is the special forces of the nonprofit world. It is a new chapter in the book of military-assisted humanitarian development. In fact, Spirit of America may be the whole book.”
– Ambassador Ryan Crocker (2020)
“Spirit of America helps our troops and diplomats produce results. Results build momentum, and changes in momentum can change the course of history. ”
– The late Hon. George Shultz, Former Secretary of State (2018)
“Spirit of America is a whole of nation approach to service that strengthens our national security.”
– Hon. Michèle Flournoy (2021)
“Jim Hake was the first civilian to ever walk into my office and ask how he could help me.”
– General (Ret.) James N. Mattis (2021)
“It would be hard to describe a more patriotic American than Jim Hake or someone more dedicated to the values that we hold dear. After 9/11 Jim’s mission in life became to give something back to our country. In 2003 he started Spirit of America and since that time has raised millions of dollars in support of our efforts overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa. It has had an extraordinary impact as we try to offer a competing narrative to the narrative of extremism. As importantly is what it has meant to Marines. One of the biggest reasons we are so honored to have Jim here tonight is because of the contribution he’s made to the will and spirit of our Marines in harm’s way.”
– General (Ret.) Joseph Dunford Jr. (2009)
“Spirit of America has been instrumental in building relationships and goodwill between our troops and the communities where they serve, undoubtedly saving lives.”
– Hon. Michèle Flournoy (2021)
“Because of the results produced by Spirit of America over the last 15 years, this year the US Congress recognized Spirit of America’s partnership with the military and Department of Defense as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Thus, Congress has passed a law endorsing Spirit of America’s unique contribution to our nation’s security and the safety of our Armed Forces. I am proud I was able to help this effort by communicating the importance of Spirit of America’s work to key Senators and Representatives.”
– The late Hon. George P. Shultz (2018)
“Jim Hake’s organizational insight is to deploy the best practices of the modern US economy – efficiency and speed.”
– Dan Henninger, The Wall Street Journal (2004)
“We have welcomed the work that Spirit of America has done here, precisely because it complements so well what we’re doing in official channels.”
– Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (2016)
“Whether you’re a diplomat, or a military commander, you need every advantage you can get. Spirit of America provides that advantage.”
– Ambassador Ryan Crocker (2020)
“The effect of Spirit of America on our mission is exponential.”
– Staff Sergeant Rob Oakley, US Army (2014)
“In the world today, actions speak louder than words. Spirit of America embodies this ethos, and is helping our troops and diplomats build a better, brighter, more secure future for freedom-loving people everywhere.”
– The late Hon. George P. Shultz (2018)
“Spirit of America enables Americans to get personally involved, to make those people-to-people connections that are so important.”
– General (Ret.) James N. Mattis (2011)
