Supporting You

Learn more about Brave Spirits

We created The Brave Spirits Foundation to direct the donations generated from sales of our products to charities that help America's bravest stay safe, recover and celebrate with family and friends.

We asked admirals, generals, captains, colonels and chiefs from the military, police department, fire department to lead the Foundation's Donation Advisory Board. They have the day-to-day experience in the field. They understand best what America's bravest need most. So we ask them to determine where the money should be donated.

The Donation Advisory Board also serves as our moral compass. We look to them to make sure we are doing it right and that we are always respectful, dignified and worthy of your support.

Donation Advisory Board

Rear Admiral John J. Sweeney

Rear Admiral John "Jack" Sweeney is a decorated retired member of the United States Navy after 38 years. From Seaman Recruit to Admiral, he devoted his military career to safeguarding America.
  • Commander, Military Sealift Command, Europe
  • Commander, Naval Readiness Command, Region 4
  • 4 Command Billets and Chief of Staff, Region 4
  • Chairman, Secretary of the Navy Reserve Forces Policy Board (2 tours)
  • Member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (SECDEF)
  • Board Member, Navy League Sea Cadet Program
  • Commander, Navy Bicentennial Task Force
  • Commander, Navy Liaison to Tall Ships visit to Philadelphia
  • Naval Reserve Youth Program Commander for CNO
  • President, Navy League Council of Philadelphia
  • Commissioning Chairman, USS Gettysburg
  • President, Shortridge Civic Association
  • Legion of Merit (2), Navy Meritorious Commendation Medal
  • 3 Letters of Commendation
Retired from the Navy in 1990, Sweeney is currently a Principal of Mercer Meidinger Hansen, the nation's largest employee benefits consulting firm. He serves as a National Director of the Navy League and is a past President of the Philadelphia council of the Navy League and the National Board of the Sea Cadet Corps. He also serves on the Armed Services Committee for the Union League of Philadelphia. He is married to the former Ann Louisa Wilcox of Wawa, Pennsylvania. They have three children, Jack, Dave and Kate.

Command Master Chief James O'Neill

Enlisting in March of 1975, Command Master Chief James O'Neill dedicated 32 years to the Coast Guard and protecting America.
  • Search & Rescue Bearing Sea 3-year tour on USCGC Sherman
  • US Navy Fleet Training Center, Norfolk VA
  • Chief of the Boat (1997-2000) USCGC GALLATIN - drug interdiction and search & rescue in the Caribbean Sea
  • Command Master Chief USCG Training Center, Cape May
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Commendation Medal with "O" Device
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal
  • Navy Achievement
  • Joint Unit Meritorious Award
  • Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation
  • Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
  • Coast Guard Good Conduct
  • Humanitarian Service Medal
  • Coast Guard Special Operations with "O"Device
  • Coast Guard Sea Service ribbon
  • Restricted Duty
  • Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
  • USN Distinguished Instructor
  • Cutterman's Pin
Retired August 1st, 2007, O'Neill now is a realtor for Ocean City Realty and a proud member of the Union League of Philadelphia. He is married to the former Lisa Maioriello and has four children; Joseph, James, Michael and Kristen.

Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Etter

Lieutenant Colonel Doug Etter has served for over 20 years in the Army National Guard. He is the Executive Officer and Chief of Staff for the Veteran's Affairs Administration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in charge of the state's six veteran's homes and all the state's veterans' programs. In addition, he is a Chaplain for the Army & the Pennsylvania State Police.
  • United States Army National Guard, 1985 - Present
  • Executive Officer of the Veteran's Affairs Administration for Pennsylvania
  • Combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07
  • Recipient of Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star Medal
  • Chaplain Officer Basic and Chaplain Advanced Courses Graduate
  • Currently enrolled in Command and General Staff College
  • Pennsylvania State Police Chaplain
  • 5 years as Volunteer Fire Fighter/EMS
Still active in the National Guard, Etter is also an ordained Presbyterian minister and a state certified Paramedic. He has published several articles and is currently working on his first book. He is married to the former Jodi Gruver and has three children.

Army Mother and Volunteer Jennie McAllister

Since 2000, Jennie McAllister, an Army mother, has devoted her time on the home-front to being a dedicated volunteer for Army causes. Through her work she has played an essential role in keeping the spirits of our soldiers high.
  • Son serving in the United States Army - First assigned to the 1st Calvary Division in Fort Hood, Texas
  • Southern New Jersey Liaison for Blue Star Mothers of America
  • Active volunteer with the USO of Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey
  • Southern New Jersey drop-off point for A Million Thanks letter writing campaign
  • Volunteer with Operation Love ReUnited
  • Supports soldiers with care packages through AnySoldier.com
  • Active with the Family Readiness Group at Fort Hood
Several of Jennie's important volunteer responsibilities include presenting the honorable Gold Star Flag to families of fallen soldiers, initiating mailing campaigns that deliver letters and care packages to our soldiers, and helping to arrange "welcome home" events. Furthermore, she offers her time to the USO facility in Philadelphia International Airport to give soldiers a place to eat and relax between flights. Jennie donates her photography talents by taking pictures of soldiers and families during deployments and homecomings. She also takes pictures to send to deployed soldiers of the families they miss at home. Still active in her numerous volunteer efforts, Jennie brings a unique perspective to the Brave Spirits Foundation. She is the mother of four children and her eldest, Christopher, is still on active duty as a Trainer at The Armor School at Fort Knox Kentucky.

Captain Harry G. "Skip" Dittmann

A Naval Academy graduate in 1967, Skip Dittmann spent the next 28 years, including a tour during Vietnam aboard the USS Frank Knox DD-742, selflessly serving our country. A standout football player for the Academy in his younger years, he remains close to Navy football through his involvement with the Philadelphia Sports Congress Executive Committee for the Army v. Navy football game, Philadelphia.
  • Commanding Officer - NR Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia
  • Commanding Officer - NR Defense Industrial Supply Center, Philadelphia
  • Personnel Officer - Naval Supply Systems Command, Washington DC
  • Supply Officer, USS Barry DD-933
  • Main Propulsion Officer, USS Frank Knox DD-742
  • Naval Academy Alumni Association of Philadelphia - Director Emeritus
  • Naval Academy Information Officer
  • Chairman Naval Academy Selection Board-Congressman Joe Sestak
  • United States Naval Academy Foundation - Trustee
  • Philadelphia Sports Congress - Executive Committee - Army v. Navy Football Game, Philadelphia
  • Director of the Navy League of Philadelphia
Upon leaving active duty, Dittmann joined Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh as an Investment Officer for six years and then joined The Philadelphia National Bank in 1978. He retired in 2007 as Senior Vice President and a Director of Calibre, the family Office of Wachovia Bank in Philadelphia.

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