Program on Creating Success

Strong For Veterans is an all-volunteer non-profit focused on Leadership, Strength, and Community. We support Veterans and their Families by creating a platform that brings different resources together, enabling them to collaborate and better serve Veterans and their Families.

Join us as we hear Veteran Entrepreneurs tell their stories about creating continued success after their service. Gold Star Dads Wendall Pelham II and Tom McKinley will share how their families are honoring the memory of their sons. Army Ranger and Shark Tank alum Matthew “Griff” Griffin of Combat Flip Flops and Army Veteran Dawson Officer of 4 Spirits Distillery will speak, and CSM Shane Lake, Oregon State CSM, will join us again. Regional non-profits serving Veterans and their Families will also attend.

Our events are free and all are welcome.

RECENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS

• Crisis Awareness Program, January 2015 (Portland, OR)
• Leadership & Strength Program, February 2016 (Portland, OR)
• Creating Success, 18 October 2016 (Portland, OR)

For registration, please join our meetup group.

DETAILED EVENT & SPEAKER INFORMATION

Date, Time, Place

• 18 October 2016 – Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
• 5:30 p.m. – Event open: meet Combat Flip Flops & 4 Spirits Distillery
• 6:30 p.m. – Program followed by a reception
• 8:30 p.m. – Wrap up

Presentation Speakers

• CSM Shane S. Lake, Oregon State CSM – Chair of the Day
• Wendall Pelham II – Gold Star Dad, Father of John Pelham. U.S. Army Spc. John Alexander Pelham, 22, was killed February 12, 2014 while serving in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, as part of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Pelham Family founded the Live Like John Foundation in honor of John and in support of organizations that made an impact on him. They live in Beaverton, OR.
• Tom McKinley – Gold Star Dad, Father of Eric McKinley. U.S. Army Spc. Eric S. McKinley, 23, was killed June 13, 2004 while serving in Baghdad, Iraq, as part of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Corvallis, Oregon. Mr. McKinley is a Founder of Tribute to the Troops, an organization dedicated to honoring our fallen heroes and conveying heartfelt gratitude to family and friends left behind. Mr. McKinley lives in Corvallis, OR and serves as President of the Oregon Chapter.
• Dawson Officer – Owner and craft distiller of 4 Spirits Distillery. Dawson served a full tour in Baghdad, Iraq with the 2-162 Infantry Battalion. Dawson dedicated the distillery to the casualties of four combat soldiers he served with in the Oregon National Guard 2 Battalion, 162 Infantry Brigade. Lt. Erik McCrae, Sgt. Justin Linden, Sgt. Justin Eyerly and Sgt. David Roustum lost their lives in 2004 serving in Baghdad, Iraq.
• Matthew “Griff” Griffin – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Combat Flip Flops. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Engineering Management, Griff served in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a Rifle Company Fire Support Officer with three tours to Afghanistan and one tour to Iraq. Griff will share the CFF story and their mission of “Business, Not Bullets.”