ABOUT US
THE
TEAM
Service To Nation was founded by three Army Veterans who served together at the 101st Airborne Division. Together they deployed to Afghanistan fighting shoulder-to-shoulder in some of the toughest battlegrounds and largest fire fights seen by their brigade since Vietnam. That single deployment has been featured in multiple documentaries including The Hornets Nest and No Greater Love.
Many of these soldiers, upon returning home, left the military. Like many before them, those soldiers experienced a loss of identity, and at times, direction. Many quickly found themselves dealing with circumstances, emotions, and hardships that family and friends just could not understand. This stress manifested in self-destructive behavior. With the help of other Veterans they realized this was not an issue of one, but of all.
THE DRIVE
VETERANS SHOULD NOT FACE THIS ALONE
After many conversations, the call to serve became urgent and action needed to be taken. The members of Service to Nation could no longer stand on the sidelines, only to watch their brothers and sisters became disenfranchised due to a support system they could not - or would not - navigate themselves. It's not that help, or resources do not exist, it's that the system is built for 'pull' rather than 'push' and pulling for help is a challenging skill for most Veterans, or civilians alike. Veterans were built to embody warrior ethos, to respect tradition, and at all times to serve others. Veterans will routinely place others’ lives before themselves. As a result, they will be among the last to ask for help.
Mission success for us, is to help eliminate perceived or actual barriers to obtain the needed support.
Tom Gorup, President
Tom Gorup is a husband, father of two, Army Veteran, experienced executive and success entrepreneur. While in service Tom deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan with two prestigious units, 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne Divisions, respectively. Tom left the Army as an Infantry Squad leader after 6 years of service and since has experience leading, building, and growing, successful operations teams both locally and abroad. Tom has also been quoted in numerous industry journals and media outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, Bloomberg, and Dark Reading.
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"Veterans are in the best position to help Veterans. The systems in place are just too big. They were built with greatest of intentions, but end up leaving Veterans behind. We can't save them all, but that shouldn't stop us from trying to saving one."
John Faris, Treasurer & Legal
John is a person that is fundamentally drawn to service. Not only did partnering with 'Service To Nation' seem natural, but embodied the ethos that John continues to live by. While in service, John served as an infantry officer, serving with both Randy and Tom while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, including a deployment in Afghanistan. After 5 years of service, John left the Army as a Captain to eventually attend law school. John's dedication to selflessly serve is paramount to helping operationalize Service To Nation's mission and help his fellow veterans.
"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America, for an amount up to, and including their life"
Randy Wydeen, Board Member
Randy Wydeen is a husband and United States Army Veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Randy served as an Infantryman on a line platoon for both of his deployments with the prestigious 101st Airborne division. Randy's drive is fueled from witnessing numerous Veterans struggle. Tired of just standing by watch this happen Randy linked arms with John and Tom to combat the problems that our veterans face.
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"I’ve always wanted to help veterans and being a veteran myself I felt like I might be in a better place to help."