PHILADELPHIA–Prior to the Army/Navy football game here, the PenFed Foundation hosted a healthy tailgate event honoring Abe Kamarck, former U.S. Naval Aviator and founder/CEO of True Made Foods. He is the Foundation’s first Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP) recipient.
VEIP helps Veteran-owned businesses succeed by providing the seed money to get started and a support network of over 1,700 business partners. Since the PenFed Foundation announced the program in April, it has raised more than $1.4 million from businesses who want to support Veteran entrepreneurs.
“Supporting Veteran-owned businesses isn’t a charity effort. These businesses successfully
provide critical services and fill critical needs every day. The Army Navy game is the grittiest on the gridiron played by two teams that will go on to defend the greatest country in the world as one team following graduation,” said James Schenck, president and CEO of PenFed Credit Union, and CEO of PenFed Foundation. “This makes it a fitting time to honor our Veteran entrepreneurs.”
General John Nicholson, who commanded U.S. Forces in Afghanistan and NATO’s Resolute Support Mission from March 2016 to September 2018, and Admiral Thomas Lynch, a former Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, spokeabout the realities, opportunities and challenges in transitioning from the military. General Nicholson is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Admiral Lynch is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Admiral Lynch played football in college and was the Captain of the 1963 team. General Nicholson will bring the Game Ball from last year’s Army victory over Navy which was sent to him in Afghanistan.
More than 50 students from Lake Braddock Secondary School participated in the event and members of their Junior ROTC battalion presented the colors.