Will of Iron Golf Foundation for Military Vets

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day The Star-Spangled Banner 🇺🇸❤️

06/12/2026

WE WERE SELECTED for a $5,000 Grassroots Grant for the second straight year. As one of 69 organizations across the U.S., this grant recognizes our efforts to strengthen golf by opening its doors to Military Veterans and their families to experience the sport. We thank Make Golf Your Thing and the American Golf Industry Coalition for this great honor, and our Grant Development Specialist, Riley Bannon Catenacci, for her commitment to our mission!

06/08/2026

Hello! For more information about sponsorships and auction item donations, please click our bio link SPONSORS ⬆️

06/08/2026

Hello! For more information about sponsorships and auction item donations, please visit https://willofironforvets.org/sponsors/

06/04/2026

We are honored to present the two new members of our Board of Directors, Pamela Duggar, and Chris Thompson, Ameriprise Financial Advisor.
Pamela Duggar, CPA, has generously supported our mission by donating her time and expertise to complete and file our tax returns for the past three years. Pam co-founded Duggar and Traylor, LLC with Linda Traylor 26 years ago and earned her BBA from the University of Wisconsin. She later completed 30 additional accounting credits at Florida Southern University and became a CPA in 1991. Her expertise includes working with medical and dental practices as well as commercial real estate.
Christopher Thompson, a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant who served our nation aboard the USS W.S. SIMS (FF-1059), is the Managing Director at Upper Deck Wealth Management of Ameriprise Financial Services in Ponte Vedra Beach.
He has 33 years of experience as a financial advisor, a degree in Math and Economics from Vanderbilt University, and past roles with Wells Fargo Advisors (2011–2021) and Merrill Lynch as a Senior Financial Advisor (1993-2011). Christopher is also an active youth coach at Creeks Athletic Association since 2002, mentoring over 1,000 kids ages 5 to 18 in soccer, tackle football, flag football, basketball, softball, and baseball.
We’re thankful for their trust and commitment to helping us grow our mission, allowing us to share the mental health benefits of the beautiful game of golf with more military veterans and their families.

05/28/2026

We are grateful to Dr. Drew Rappaport, owner of Rappaport Dental for sponsoring our first “Fallen Warriors Never Die” event in observance of Memorial Day, with one simple purpose: to honor the spirit of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who fought and gave their lives in conflicts throughout history to uphold the ideals and promise of the United States of America.
We also extend our thanks to Kerrie and Daniel Hileman, owners of Fore Score. Though we met less than a month ago, they immediately jumped in, offering significant discounts so we could enjoy their beautiful facility.
In addition to honoring our nation’s fallen warriors, we toasted to our 300 Beneficiaries Milestone. Since 2020, we have provided golf equipment and private instruction to 300 disabled and PTSD diagnosed military veterans, their spouses, and children through our Will of Iron and Birdies for Eagles Golf Programs.
Among those incredible beneficiaries there are entrepreneurs who launched businesses after leaving the military, and we were excited to give te their companies. Help us get to 400! Visit our bio link ⬆️ or DM

05/26/2026

We were honored to meet Tyrone Jiles, Command Master Chief, U.S. Navy, Retired. He received his new set of golf clubs and first golf lesson from Jim Ragland at TPG.
Tyrone Jiles is a dedicated leader, mentor, and community advocate with over 30 years of honorable service. Throughout his naval career, he served in key leadership positions across multiple commands, leading Sailors in operations, career development, training, and mission readiness while deploying around the world in support of national security objectives.
Initiated as a Chief Petty Officer in 2007, he later served as a Command Master Chief, where he directly influenced and mentored thousands of Sailors throughout their careers, helping shape the next generation of Navy leaders. He became widely respected for his commitment to mentorship, accountability, professional development, and mission accomplishment.
Beyond his military service, Tyrone has remained passionate about community outreach and youth development through programs focused on public speaking, cybersecurity awareness, resiliency, and life skills for young people in the Jacksonville community.
After three decades of faithful and dedicated service, Tyrone Jiles proudly retired, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, mentorship, and lifelong impact on the Sailors and communities he served. We salute Tyrone for his exceptional and dedicated service to our nation. We are looking forward to seeing him master the links. Thank you to our title sponsors for making this possible Zellner Insurance Agency, Seibertkeck Insurance Partners, Procomp Payroll Services, Monarch National Insurance, & Make Golf Your Thing

05/23/2026

““We Were Soldiers” is one of my favorite movies because this speech encapsulates the spirit of our nation’s warriors, which I have witnessed in my work at the Will of Iron Golf Foundation for Military Vets. As we begin this Memorial Day weekend, let us remember and honor the warriors who gave it all, and their families who will miss them forever.” Xiomara Spadafora, Founder and CEO.

Mel Gibson's incredible speech about war✔️ Follow us on Facebook ➤ https://www.facebook.com/204568612956950📢 New Movies 2023 ➤ https://www.youtube.com/pla...

05/21/2026

We had the honor of meeting Angel Emelio Velez, Operation Specialist Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, Retired. He received his new set of golf clubs and is ready to embark on the course and ride the golf waves. Angel is a son of Puerto Rico who joined the U.S. Navy at 21. He was assigned to USS PONCE, COMPHIBRON ELEVEN, embarked in USS ESSEX, USS DENVER, USS BONHOMME RICHARDS; Special Reconnaissance Team 2, Navy Recruiting District Miami and USS BELOIT at Naval Station Mayport.
He deployed three times to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, four times to the South Pacific and South China Sea Region and supported nine Naval Special Warfare deployments.
He was awarded two Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corp achievement Medals, seven Good Conduct Medals and selected as Region East Naval Special Warfare Recruiter of the quarter and Navy Recruiter of the Year.
The day we met, Angel shared something meaningful when we asked why he decided to take up golfing: “I’ve given enough, and now it’s my turn to give to myself.” Thank you angel for your service today and always and thank you to our title sponsor for making this possible.

05/19/2026

The Will of Iron community keeps growing, and we don’t want to stop! Meet these amazing Military Veterans: from left to right, George Trey Knight, 22 years U.S. Navy; Miguel Barba, 28 years U.S. Navy; Genaro Checo, 8 years U.S. Army; and Dion Jiles, 5 years U.S. Navy. To our veterans, thank you for your service today and always, and to our title sponsors, thank you for making this possible