Every day, we lose more veterans’ stories. You can help stop that.AVC preserves
veterans’ voices through powerful documentaries—but only with your help. ͏ ͏
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
<[link removed]>
Fellow Patriot,
I’m Rob Riggle. Some folks know me from 12 Strong, Step Brothers, The Hangover,
21 Jump Street, and other movies. But before Hollywood, I spent 23 years
serving in the United States Marine Corps.
<[link removed]>
Above: Rob Riggle and Edward Shames, veteran of the 101st Airborne and the
last living officer from the famed ‘Band of Brothers.’
I wouldn’t trade a single moment of that service – the good, the bad, even the
painful – because it shaped who I am.
It gave me confidence, resilience, and a deep respect for every man and woman
who wears the uniform.
That’s why I’m proud to stand with the American Veterans Center (AVC).
Their mission is simple but urgent: preserve the firsthand stories of
America’s heroes, guarding their legacy and honoring their sacrifice, before
they’re gone forever.
In fact, this year will be my eighth year hosting their televised event,
American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroesin November.
But I’m writing to you today because every day, more veterans of World War II,
Korea, and Vietnam pass on.
When they do, their voices and their stories of courage, sacrifice, and grit
risk being lost to time.
Unless we act now.
Will you make your first gift today of $25, $50, $100, or any amount you can
chip in to help preserve the stories of America’s veterans?
<[link removed]>
Save A Veteran’s Story for Future Generations Today
<[link removed]>
Fellow Patriot, here’s something you should know: AVC doesn’t take a single
dollar of government funding.
Every documentary, every oral history, every story we preserve exists because
of patriotic citizens like you.
And AVC has the track record to prove it.
Recently they recorded several World War II veterans who shared about fighting
in the Pacific theater, including:
* Bob Wilson, 105, who enlisted in the Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor. Just
three years later, he took part in the D-Day landings at Normandy. Bob was
awarded the French Legion of Honor in May 2025 for his valor.
* Roberta "Randy" Tidmore, 103, a trailblazer in the U.S. Marine Corps
Women’s Reserve. Randy was a Rosie the Riveter who later served as president of
the Women's Marine Association, advocating for the recognition of women’s
contributions in wartime.
* Calvin Shiner, 102, who served in an all-Black engineering battalion —
building bridges, repairing roads, and helping hold the line across Europe.
Right now, AVC is preparing to film several helicopter pilots who flew
dangerous missions in Vietnam, as well as members of the legendary Night
Stalkers.
In November, they’re hoping to sit down with many of the World War II veterans
attending AVC’s annual conference, heroes like:
* Milton Ripple, a U.S. Navy veteran of USS Pollux, operating throughout the
Pacific Theater...
* Dominick Critelli, who served with the 95th Infantry Division, landing on
Utah Beach on June 12, 1944...
* Robert Boeke, a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 341st Infantry Regiment of the
86th Infantry Division who took part in the liberation of the infamous
concentration camp at Dachau.
And this work is in addition to reviving and hosting our nation’s largest
Memorial Day event – the National Memorial Day Parade, which draws more than
300,000 spectators to Washington, DC in salute of our nation’s fallen heroes!
I can personally vouch for AVC’s work, Fellow Patriot.
I’ve been the subject of two of their documentaries myself, and I know
firsthand how seriously their small but mighty staff take the responsibility of
capturing a veteran’s story.
<[link removed]>
You see, they don’t just point a camera and click “record” without a thought.
They honor your service...they listen...and they preserve your story with
care so it can inspire generations to come.
<[link removed]>
That’s the same level of respect and quality they bring to every veteran they
interview. And it’s why I’m asking you to stand with them today with your gift
of $25, $50, $100, or even $250 or more.
<[link removed]>
Save A Veteran’s Story for Future Generations Today
<[link removed]>
Fellow Patriot, during my years of service, I was deployed to Libya to help
evacuate the embassy.
I was among the bucket brigades at Ground Zero after September 11th. I did two
tours in Afghanistan, and in 2013, I retired as a lieutenant colonel.
While I retired my uniform, giving back to those who served — and ensuring
these men and women feel supported, heard, and celebrated for their sacrifices
— is a key part of my life.
As long as I’m alive, I’ll be proud to have earned the title, “Marine,” and I
will feel loyal not only to other Marines but to all Americans who’ve served
our nation.
<[link removed]>
Above: Rob Riggle and Dick Cole, veteran of WWII and Jimmy Doolittle’s
co-pilot on the Doolittle Raid.
Fellow Patriot, AVC does tremendous work honoring the legacies of veterans
through their Oral History Documentary program from all branches of service.
Will you join me in supporting AVC as they work to preserve veterans’ stories
with your gift of $25, $50, $100, or even $250 or more today?
<[link removed]>
These brave individuals selflessly risked their lives to safeguard our freedom.
It’s up to us to honor their unwavering dedication and ensure that their
legacy of sacrifice is forever remembered and held in the highest esteem.
Yes! I Want to Save a Veteran’s Legacy of Service and Sacrifice for Future
Generations
<[link removed]>
Fellow Patriot, I’ll be honest—without you, these legacies may vanish. With
you, they’ll live on to inspire millions.
Our veterans stood up for us. Now it’s our turn to step up for them.
Thank you for honoring their service by helping us tell their stories.
Semper Fi,
Rob Riggle on behalf of American Veterans Center
United States Marine Corps (Ret.)
<[link removed]>
Save the Stories of America’s Veterans with AVC
<[link removed]>
The mission of the American Veterans Center and the World War II Veterans
Committee is to preserve and promote the legacy and experiences of America's
veterans and active duty service personnel from World War II through today.
A non-profit educational organization, the AVC and WWIIVC are funded solely
through generous contributions from people like you. All contributions are
tax-deductible.
© American Veterans Center
1100 N. Glebe Road Suite 910, Arlington, VA 22201
This email was sent to
[email protected] Unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
