During the summer of 2012, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) lost 8 Marines and Sailors during combat operations in Afghanistan – Sergeant Justin Hansen, Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Price, Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Gifford, Staff Sergeant Sky Mote, Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Jeschke, Captain Matthew Manoukian, Hospital Corpsman First Class Darrel Enos, and Staff Sergeant Gregory Copes. The MARSOC Foundation was just a few months old and had only recently started accepting donations. John Greenway, founder of the Ride for Semper Fi and Mission2Alpha, wanted to host an event to help the MARSOC community as they honored and remembered these fallen heroes. In just a few short weeks, John rallied his team and hosted An Evening with the MARSOC Foundation at the Scottsdale Gun Club in Arizona. The Gun Club generously donated their space and contributed several silent and live auction items, something they have continued to do every year.
The inaugural event celebrated the Marines, Sailors and families of MARSOC. It raised desperately needed funds to help the families and fellow MARSOC brothers with travel to memorial services and commemorative events. Funds were also used to update the MARSOC Memorial Wall at MARSOC Headquarters. Over the past 8 years, the event has raised more than $500,000 to help assist Marine Raiders and their families during times of need. Past Guest Speakers have included former MARSOC Commander Major General Paul Lefebvre (Retired), Foundation Board President and Marine Captain Derek Herrera (Retired), Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North (Retired), and Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyer.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, this year’s event will be a bit different with limited in-person tickets. We warmly invite you to consider joining us virtually. Virtual attendees will be able to bid on silent auction items, make a monetary or auction item donation, and help to spread the word about the 8th Annual Evening with the Marine Raider Foundation.
Please visit https://raider2020.givesmart.com to register, make a monetary or auction item donation, and get the latest information on an event you truly don’t want to miss!
If you would like to donate an item for the auction, please email Sarah Christian at schristian@marineraiderfoundation.org or John Greenway at johng@mission2alpha.org. You can also fill out the “Donate an Item” form on the event website). We greatly appreciate your support!