2025 - 2nd Annual Salute to America's Heroes Gala

The 2nd Annual 'A Salute to America's Heroes' Gala

Serving Those Who Served

It's our turn to give back and support the Veterans who have given so much for us. Join us at the stunning Crane Bay Event Center in Indianapolis to learn more about The Patriot Fund and help raise vital funds for Veterans in need. Every dollar raised brings treatment, and every treatment saves lives.

The Crane Bay Event Center offers a unique, modern space with a versatile design and breathtaking views of the Downtown Indianapolis skyline. Following the success of our inaugural 2024 Indianapolis fundraiser, we are thrilled to make this an annual tradition.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our Veteran community.

Event Date:  Friday, August 22, 2025

Event Timeline

4:30pm Registration 

5:00pm Cocktail Hour

6:00pm Dinner 

6:45 Keynote Speaker - Mark Greene 

8:00pm Entertainment 

Creative Ways to Give and Maximize Your Impact

At The Patriot Fund, we understand that donors seek diverse avenues for making meaningful financial contributions. As a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we gratefully accept funds from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), Private Foundations, and Public Foundations.

Additionally, we welcome gifts of publicly traded stock, providing donors with an opportunity to contribute appreciated assets. By donating stock, supporters can realize an income tax deduction for the full market value of their gift while also avoiding capital gains tax exposure from a sale-allowing for a more tax-efficient and impactful way to give.

If you wish to facilitate your support in one of the above-referenced manners, please contact our Director of Operations at [email protected]

We are honored to present our 2025 Indianapolis Patriot of The Year!  

Jill Fewell

Jill Fewell's calling is serving others. Jill is not a Veteran but comes from a multi-generational military family all the way back to the American Revolution. Jill's father, former husband, oldest son, cousins and nephews served. She has personal experience with military life, veterans issues and the pain of losing a loved one due to their service to our country. Jill's mission is to connect Veterans to their earned benefits and vital resources directly. 

Jill has served in many leadership and board positions including the Indianapolis WWII Roundtable Board (9 yrs), the Mayor's Advisory Council for Veterans Board (10 yrs), Indiana Aviation Board (5 yrs), the Commemorative Air Force Warbird Airshow Team, the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation Honorary Board, Helping Heroes of America Board (7 yrs), and the Dr. Otis Bowen Veterans House Board (10 yrs). Jill is the Regent of the Caroline Scott Harrison DAR Chapter and DAR State Chair for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration. She has been involved with the Medal of Honor Society for many years and organized naming the Lafayette and Indianapolis Medal of Honor Bridges. She hosted the 101st Airborne Veterans at the 101st Running of the Indy 500.

Jill founded Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, Inc. non-profit 10 years ago. Their outreach program to find, thank and repay Indiana Vietnam Era Veterans in all 92 Indiana counties created 300 dedicated events. They have honored and presented 20,000 A Time to Honor Vietnam War history books directly to Veterans and spouses of the deceased including directly to VA Hospitals and all Indiana high school and public libraries. Jill organized the State of Indiana Gold Star Families Memorial Monument to be built in the Indiana War Memorials Historic District at 760 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, dedicated on May 1, 2021.

Jill made the "trip of a lifetime" escorting WWII Army Air Corps B-24 Nose gunner hero, Robert Pedigo, to Normandy, France, for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Ceremony. Bob received the French Legion of Honor from President Macron in front of the whole world that day.

 Our Opening Speaker

Vann Morris

Evangelo "Vann" Morris is a U.S. Navy retired Surface Warfare Officer and Afghanistan deployed Combat Veteran who has traveled to 45 countries and is on a mission to Heal America. His wife (Rita) and three sons are all proud U.S. Veterans.  In 2001, Vann and his team seized 14 tons of pure cocaine during a Colombian drug raid - the largest drug bust in U.S. maritime history. 

Vann is a former nuclear powered ballistic missile Submariner, with an MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School, in Monterey, CA. and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Memphis. His last two tours of duty are the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL.  Parallel with his military career, Vann has been public speaking for 20 years to honor all those who serve our great nation and to teach our children the value of Freedom.

Our Keynote Speaker

Mark Greene
Lieutenant (Ret) U.S. Navy Seal

Lieutenant (Ret.) Mark Greene is a former member of Naval Special Warfare, best known as the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. He graduated with honors from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training as part of Class 212 in 1997. Upon completing training, Mark was assigned to SEAL Team FIVE in San Diego, where he deployed twice to the Pacific Theater, conducting Special Operations including missions following the events of September 11.

In 2001, Mark graduated from the Naval Special Warfare Sniper School and went on to execute specialized sniper missions. Following his deployments, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Excelsior College. In January 2004, he achieved a significant milestone by earning a commission as a Navy SEAL Officer. He was then assigned to SEAL Team EIGHT as an Assistant Officer in Charge, deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he conducted sniper missions across the region.

After a successful deployment, Mark was assigned to Special Boat Team TWENTY as the Officer in Charge of a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery Team (MCADS), deploying again to the Pacific Theater in support of other government agencies conducting special operations. He later pursued higher education, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with honors from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008, where he was also recognized with an Outstanding Thesis Award.

Following his graduate studies, Mark returned to SEAL Team EIGHT as Officer in Charge, leading his team on deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where they conducted continuous operations over a six-month period. After nearly two decades of service, Mark retired from Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR in 2016.

Post-military, Mark transitioned to a career in higher education, joining the President's Staff at the University of Southern California (USC). There, he played a pivotal role in supporting Veterans and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of reintegration into civilian life. In 2020, he furthered his education by earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from USC.

Today, Mark serves as a Senior Analyst in Corporate Intelligence and Security at Dominion Energy (Virginia). He is also the bestselling author of UNSEALED: A Navy SEAL's Guide to Mastering Life's Transitions.

Our Entertainment
Scotty Hasting

"For me, the demons of PTSD knock the loudest when it's quiet. When I have a guitar in my hands, I find peace," says songwriter, artist, and Army Veteran Scotty Hasting.

Narrowly escaping death, Hasting is now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or mental health find solace through his music. His follow-up to the patriotic and heartfelt debut EP I'm America, Purple Heart recipient and Black River artist Scotty Hasting's lighthearted "Pro Beer" (coming 3/7) will surely be a summer favorite. Written by Jimi Bell, Josh Jenkins, and Bryan Simpson, Hasting loved the tune upon first listen. "It's all about having a good time and not taking ourselves too seriously," shared Hasting. In the accompanying music visualizer, Hasting raises a red Solo cup in a nod to the late Country music legend Toby Keith. Watch it HERE.

In support of the new music this year, Scotty continues to play shows nationwide and partner with great organizations, including Pen Fed Foundation, CreatiVets, Guitars 4 Vets, and Operation Encore. Despite only first picking up a guitar in 2020, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky native signed to Black River at the end of 2023 and has since released "Til The Last Shot's Fired" with Lee Brice and Dolly Parton (10/18), in addition to his debut EP, I'm America (5/3), featuring his debut single on Black River, "How Do You Choose," and more.

The "promising, impactful debut" (Billboard) details Hasting's first visit to best friend Adam Hamilton's tombstone following his death. Having found his escape from PTSD through archery and music, the "'I'm America' hitmaker" (People Magazine) has already opened for incredible artists, including Lee Brice, Dave Grohl, Chris Janson, Jelly Roll, Craig Morgan, Parmalee, Tanya Tucker, and more.

In 2024, Hasting partnered with Operation Democracy and represented the U.S. with multiple performances in Normandy, France, during a week-long celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day (exclusive People photo diary HERE) before stepping into the coveted Circle for his Grand Ole Opry debut (7/28) during the Opry's celebration of 30 years of "Forrest Gump."  In April of 2011, the former Army Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division 4th Squadron 4th Cavalry was left fighting for his life, flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot ten times.  

Visit us at:  Patriot Fund Inc.
 

Q:" Why not give the money directly to the Operating Partners?" 

A: In addition to a list of reporting requirements, every year our due diligence team reviews the financials of each OP to make sure they are still in line with our strict financial requirements.   

Q: "How much money does The Patriot Fund receive and give?"

A: In 2024, we raised $1,700,000 and are distributing the funds less event expenses in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $115,000 to 24 Operational Partners!

Q: "I cannot make this date, how can I still help?"

A: Purchase Sponsorships, attend the dinners/galas, and offer to assist our planning teams for events.  Contact us at [email protected] and we'll figure a way for you to get involved!  You can also donate at this link on our website or the donate section below.

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All donations go to The Patriot Fund, Inc. 

Benefiting Our Local Indianapolis Operational Partner: