I have been part of the Spirit of America team since 2011. What attracted me to SoA was Jim Hake’s vision of citizens serving our nation by directly supporting the safety and success of America’s troops and diplomats. At the time, I saw Spirit of America as an innovation that is important to our country’s future. I now know that to be true. In the last six years, with great passion, perseverance and commitment the Spirit of America team has consistently produced results. Results that matter. They have gained the respect and appreciation of our troops on the ground, their commanders, and many of the most distinguished people to ever serve our great nation. I served 34 years in the US Army. Among other assignments, I commanded the Joint Special Operations Command – the nation’s premier military counter-terrorism force. I also commanded all U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. My troops faced incredibly brutal adversaries. I saw firsthand what works, and what doesn’t, in protecting our nation and ensuring our troops have what they need. Spirit of America works. In my years of service I also saw how difficult it is to bring innovation and new ways of doing things into our government and military. For a private organization it’s almost impossible. It sometimes seems like our institutions and bureaucracies are designed to kill new ideas. Yet Spirit of America has succeeded. Spirit of America is the only nonprofit organization working alongside deployed military teams to provide citizen-funded assistance in support of their difficult missions. No other organization does what Spirit of America does. Listening to the men and women who serve America abroad, and providing exactly what they say is needed, is a simple and practical idea. Spirit of America is also a big idea. It brings all our nation’s strengths together and applies them directly at the point of need. It recognizes that our government and military can’t do it all alone, and gives our citizens an opportunity to step up and serve the nation. Spirit of America is unique. It is vitally important. Our country needs much more of what SoA does. Thank you for helping get the organization to where it is today. Please join me and continue to support Spirit of America. Thank you, Stan US Army, Retired You can learn more about me here.