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. |
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 Heroes in 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? |
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. |
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. |
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.) |
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 | | |
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