Navy SEAL Warrior Fund Celebrates a Record Day in New York City on behalf of Navy SEALs and their Families -- Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire, USN Rings Opening Bell at NYSE and 4th Annual Gala Dinner Raises a Record $3.52 Million for Our Warriors

NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Navy SEAL Warrior Fund celebrated the Navy SEALs and their support of our country by raising a record $3.52 million at their 4th Gala Dinner onboard the USS Intrepid.  The sold out event attracted over 1,000 supporters.

The Navy SEAL Warrior Fund began the day at the New York Stock Exchange, where Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire, USN, rang The Opening Bell at the NYSE.  VADM Maguire is the deputy director for Strategic Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC).  Ms. Tracy Tapper, surviving spouse of SOC David Tapper (Killed In Action, Afghanistan, August, 2003) and LT Jason Redman (Wounded In Action, Iraq, September, 2007), accompanied VADM Maguire.  

Emotions ran high as dinner hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of the MSNBC Morning Joe Show emceed the evening events and celebrated the heroes in the audience.  Not only did they offer uplifting and inspiring comments about the Navy SEALs and their service to this country, but also offered insights as to the impact the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund has on the families and dependents of Navy SEALs.  They both thanked the New York City Police Department Honor Guard for presenting colors prior to the start of the dinner.

Brendan Rogers, President of the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund, in addressing the crowd said, "Today's Naval Special Warfare Community is approaching ten years of sustained combat.  This level of combat intensity carries with it high costs, some visible and some hidden.  Our mission is to serve our soldiers by helping to mitigate some of these very real costs to our soldiers and their families.  It is a tribute to the community that tonight's dinner has been so successful."

An additional highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Fire in the Gut Award to Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama who spent three days with Somali Pirates before being rescued by the Navy SEALs.  This award is given to an individual or organization demonstrating superior dedication, leadership, and perseverance by accomplishing an extraordinary deed.  The Fire in the Gut Award has significant meaning to all Navy SEALs -- it is also presented at graduation to the candidate in each SEAL class who demonstrates superior motivation through the arduous six-month training course.

Christina Valentine, surviving spouse of SOCS Tommy Valentine (Killed In Training, February 2008) addressed the audience and provided specific examples of how the SEAL Fund helped her and her family when her husband was killed.  LT Jason Redman addressed the audience as well and publicly thanked the SEAL Fund for the support they have provided to his wife and three children since being wounded in Afghanistan.

The inspiring and emotional evening concluded with the Naval Special Warfare Sailor of the Year reciting the SEAL Code.

ABOUT THE NAVY SEAL WARRIOR FUND

The mission of the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund is to aid Navy SEAL team members, their families and qualified dependents in need through education, training, housing, and emergency assistance programs.  In addition, the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund educates the public about the needs of Navy SEAL families and qualified dependents while Navy SEAL Team Members are deployed around the world.  Lastly, the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund provides support for the Naval Special Warfare community.

Supported programs include Tragedy Assistance, Educational Grants and Scholarships, Resiliency Programs, Morale and Social Events for Children, and many Spousal Support Programs while team members are deployed.  You may learn more about the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund by visiting www.sealfund.org.  Other event links: http://www.nyse.com/events/1272880691831.html; and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#36984652

SOURCE The Navy SEAL Warrior Fund