Impact

Our fellows and volunteers
have made a significant
investment of their time and
resources in The Mission Continues,
working to fundamentally change
the way our nation welcomes
home our veterans.

Marc Wolf New York City, NY

After being inspired by Eric Greitens during a 2009 lecture at Olin Business School, Marc became heavily involved with The Mission Continues. Marc made a huge impact on the organization when he helped organize its first fundraiser at a St. Louis golf club. Marc headed to New York City, where he led the effort in the Northeast to build a team in New York and spread The Mission Continues’ message. Marc has spearheaded various fundraising and awareness events ranging from parlor events to Broadway and coordinated over a dozen service projects across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Amanda Heidenreiter Washington, D.C.

Military Branch: Army

Fellowship: Paws for Purple Hearts

Amanda was born in Seoul, South Korea and was adopted at nine months old by a military family. Amanda participated in the Army Reserved Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Amanda deployed to Iraq in June 2007 after receiving specialty training in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear warfare. In addition to sustaining back, neck, and knee injuries, Amanda suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a 120mm mortar round exploded only yards away from her.

Amanda served her fellowship in the Paws for Purple Hearts program. The program gives men and women in the military a chance to learn a new skill – training service dogs to serve as therapeutic treatment for those struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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Anthony Smith Armorel, AR

Military Branch: Army

Fellowship: Boys Club Girls Club &
Delta Community Outreach Ministries

In 2003, Major Anthony Smith, Sr. deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April 24, 2004, Anthony’s unit came under attack, and he was directly hit by a Rocket-Propelled Grenade. After being treated on the battlefield, he was listed as killed-in-action and placed in a body bag. A nurse searching for his dog tags discovered he was still breathing, and doctors began treating him again. After sixty-two days of being in a medically induced coma, he awoke to to find that he had lost his right arm, hip, femur, muscles in his leg, his right kidney, and part of his bowels.

Anthony utilized his Mission Continues Fellowship to serve with two organizations: the Boys and Girls Club of Mississippi County and the Delta Community Outreach Ministries. He is using martial arts to mentor young people, helping to develop character as well as martial arts skills.

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Colin Archipley San Diego, CA

Military Branch: United States Marine Corps

Fellowship: Veterans Sustainable
Agriculture Training

Colin Archipley joined the Marine Corps in 2002 and was deployed to Iraq four times prior to his honorable discharge. Colin was awarded two Naval and Marine Corps Achievement Medals with Combat Distinguished Device “V,” three Meritorious Masts, a Letter of Appreciation, a Letter of Accommodation, and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

After his military service, Colin and his wife began a small greenhouse operation and created the Veteran’s Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) with the hopes of training and helping veterans find meaningful employment or ownership possibilities in the field of agriculture or other sustainable industries. A portion of the crops grown at their grove are regularly distributed to local food banks and homeless shelters.

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Kevin Peach Chicago, IL

Kevin became an active volunteer with The Mission Continues in early 2010 in St. Louis, where he was serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer. He was integral in a successful campaign to nominate CEO Eric as a 2010 MLB/PARADE Magazine “All Stars Among Us” winner. In the fall, Kevin moved back to his hometown of Chicago to pursue a graduate degree. He was eager to continue his work with The Mission Continues as a Project Leader, coordinating service events for September 11th and Veteran's Day.

Facts

54 veterans rebuilt purpose through fellowships.

4,406 volunteers participated in 117 projects across the nation.

I got involved with The Mission Continues because I really connected with the mission as a former Navy man and felt inspired by Fellows like Phil Bauer. I give my time to The Mission Continues because of the amazing leadership in Eric Greitens and the senior leadership team.”

— Marc Wolf, Volunteer

I never served my country in a military capacity. Every day I am inspired by the leadership and courage of our fellows serving here at home in a civic capacity. These men and women remind me of what public stewardship should look like and I am grateful to be a part of this evolving culture where we look to our returning vets for direction and leadership and having our fellows show unwavering strength and resolve.”

— Kevin Peach, Volunteer

The Paws for Purple Hearts program has certainly helped me and taught me how to have patience again. I know how positive of an impact my participation in this program will be, not only for myself, but also my fellow servicemen and women. There is such a demand for service dogs and Paws for Purple Hearts is an opportunity for Veterans to help other Veterans. It’s a wonderful program.”

— Amanda Heidenreiter, Fellow

Service provides purpose in life. I believe the basic building block to becoming a great leader and mentor is to provide service to others unselfishly. A common quote that has grown with me is: “To much that is given, much is required”. Service in the military has taught me that living life is bigger than me. If people want to understand life and have purpose, it comes from helping your fellow man and those in need of your assistance and wisdom. ”

— Anthony Smith, Fellow

With the help of The Mission Continues, my philosophy is to look to the veteran community for their assets and give them opportunities in a growing industry along with the company. This will instill confidence in the veterans and we will have the opportunity to use their abilities to adapt and overcome, take on challenges, and seek improvement. ”

— Colin Archipley, Fellow

If we provide opportunities for our veterans to apply the incredible skill sets they gained in the military to address the critical needs within their communities, we’ll emerge with a stronger country. And if we are able to engage them in continuing to live a life of service, beyond their uniform, we’ll aid this generation in becoming another ‘greatest generation’ of veterans.”

— Eric Greitens, CEO, The Mission Continues