2025 Patriot Invitational

Please join us for The Patriot Invitational to be held at the prestigious Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida!  

Pelican Golf Club is one of Florida's newest and most exclusive private golf clubs. The host of the LPGA Tour's annual Pelican Women's Championship, it features a golf course originally laid out in 1925 by Donald Ross (formerly known as Belleview Biltmore Golf Club) and reimagined by Beau Welling in 2018. Owned by the local Doyle family, the course is an homage to Augusta National, with bright-white bunkers, lush green turf and fluffy pine straw framing the holes, with large and undulating greens providing a fun challenge for professional golfers and club members alike.

1501 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair, Florida 33756

18 hole Golf Tournament followed by Cocktails and Dinner

Our VIP Keynote Speaker - Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Nick Lavery

Please note: All Committed Sponsorships have the opportunity to purchase additional Dinner Seats
in Advance of the General Invitation List Distribution.

The Patriot Invitational
Event Timeline
Monday | May 19th, 2025

11:00 am Registration 

12:30 pm Shotgun Start

5:30 pm Cocktail Reception

6:30 pm Dinner 

7:00 pm VIP Keynote Speaker - CW2 Nick Lavery

8:00 pm Entertainment by Scotty Hastings 

Introducing....CW2 Nick Lavery
Our VIP Keynote Speaker

Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Nick Lavery is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. Commonly known as the Green Berets, the Special Forces perform critical missions including direct action, counterinsurgency, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare.

In 2013, while deployed to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Following a year of surgeries and initial recovery including the use of a prosthetic at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center, he returned to his unit. In 2015, he returned to his Detachment and was subsequently deployed once again to Afghanistan. Nick is considered the first Special Forces operator to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee.

Nick is currently serving as a Special Forces Warrant Officer. He is also the first amputee in military history to complete the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification course, the Special Operations Combatives Program Instructor course, and the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification course.

Congratulations to Our 2025 Patriot of the Year!
Greater Tampa Region
Mercy Ameyaw Aston (USAR)

Retired Staff Sergeant (SSG) Mercy Ameyaw Aston is a distinguished veteran of the U.S. Army, having dedicated 17 years of service before retiring in 2019 due to combat injuries. Mercy enlisted in the Army at 17, inspired by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She became a highly decorated Senior Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC), specializing in Special Operations Forces (SOF) intelligence targeting and signal network operations.

During her military career, Mercy served in combat operations in Afghanistan and NATO missions in Germany and Bosnia. In her last duty position, she was the Acting First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant in an elite, selectively manned Joint Airborne Unit, deploying worldwide within 18 hours for contingencies ranging from major theater wars to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, supporting Special Operations and Regional Combatant Commanders. Mercy's exceptional service earned her numerous awards, including two Bronze Star Medals and a Meritorious Service Medal.

After her military service, Mercy transitioned to civilian life, starting as a Business Analyst in JP Morgan's Global Financial Crimes department. She later joined the Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) Department at Raymond James, eventually becoming a Director in the firm's Internal Audit department. Mercy currently serves as the Institutional Trading & Dealer Sales Director in the firm's Fixed Income Capital Markets department. As Co-Chair of the National Veterans Inclusion Network (Valor) at Raymond James, she has played a key role in raising over $1.2 million for nonprofit organizations supporting veterans and first responders.

Entertainment By
Scotty Hastings 

"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'scelebration 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.  

Benefiting....

Benefiting Our Local Operational Partners

Visit us at:  https://patriotfundinc.org/
 

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!  

Want to purchase a sponsorship, but prefer to pay for it via a payment method other than credit card? Please reach out to us here at [email protected] and we would be happy to send an invoice and help get you registered.

Checks can be mailed to our address at:
The Patriot Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 1818, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054

Click here to email us!  [email protected]

All payments must be received by April 30, 2024.