PRESS RELEASE - January, 2022

SSG Alex Viola Foundation Makes Record-Setting Donation to Military Organizations for 7th year in a row

The SSG Alex Viola Foundation will donate a total of $110,000 to the Green Beret Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation in a 10am presentation February 3, at the Keller City Town Hall.  Among thoseexpected to attend will be Frances Arias, Director of Operations, Green Beret Foundation and Clayton M. Hutmacher, Major General, USA (Ret.) and President & CEO of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The money was raised in large part through the 2021 SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show presented by American Airlines. The most recent event took place on November 7, 2021, in Keller.  The show drew over 400 classic cars,several hundred spectators, including 9 Green Berets, and a flyover by two F-16 jet fighters. The SSG Alex Viola Foundation, established in 2015 has donated to-date $370,000 to the two organizations which support fallen and wounded U.S. military Special Operators and their families.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone that has graciously given their time, energy, and generous contributions to support the Viola Family in making the SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show a huge success”, said Ms. Frances Arias, Director of Operations for the Green Beret Foundation. “This $55,000 donation will enable us to continue to honor our commitment to Green Berets, past and present, as well as their families, by connecting them with the right resources to prosper and thrive. Our deepest thanks to the Viola Family for their continued support and providing us this opportunity to honor SSG Viola’s service, sacrifice, and legacy through the annual SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show”, concluded Frances Arias. 

“We are incredibly appreciative of the support The SSG Alex Viola Foundation has provided to Special Operations Warrior Foundation for many years now. Based on their dedication and efforts, many surviving children of Special Operations Forces have realized their dream of a college education, leading to a career. We will always be grateful for all they have done for us,” said Major General (Ret) Clay Hutmacher, President and CEO of Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

“The SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show is one of the most significant local military events of the year providing needed support to our warriors. American Airlines is tremendously proud to be a part of such a meaningful organization that does great work within the military community, and we’re privileged to honor the memory of Staff Sgt. Viola,” said Randy Stillinger, Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives for American Airlines.

Plans are already underway for the 2022 show, scheduled at the Keller Town Hall for Sunday, November 6.

“We are very grateful to the participants and sponsors who continue to provide outstanding support and contribute to this event’s success. To be able to support two terrific veterans’ organizations is extremely gratifying and exactly what my son would have wanted”, according to Frank Viola, father of Alex Viola and Administrator of the SSG Alex Viola Foundation.

About SSG Alex Viola 

Alex was born in the suburbs of Long Island New York in 1984. In 1993, the family relocated to Keller, Texas as part of a job transfer. Upon graduating high school, he enrolled into the University of North Texas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree. Rather than entering the traditional workforce, he decided to begin his career in the military. His aim was high and he was determined to become a member of the Special Operations community. 

Through years of intense physical training and subjecting himself to the physical and mental demands of Special Operations training he was determined to be one of America’s best. In 2011, Alex graduated as a member of the US Army Special Forces, a Green Beret. He went on to get his Combat Dive Certification and was later assigned to the 3^rd battalion, 7^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), ODA 7325 stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Destin, Florida. In September 2013, his team deployed to Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On November 17, 2013, Alex lost his life to Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on dismounted patrol.

His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, the Warrior Leader Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Advanced Leader Course and the Combat Diver Qualification Course.

Alex’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Special Operations Dive Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

About the Green Beret Foundation: 

The Green Beret Foundation (GBF) provides U. S. Army Special Forces soldiers and their families with emergency, immediate, and ongoing support. GBF assists over 5,000 families each year and continues to provide programs and services in support of the Special Forces Regiment on a daily basis. Since its inception in 2009, GBF has invested 84%, or 84 cents of every dollar, into its programs and services, which has totaled to over $16 million that has directly supported the Regiment and its families. GBF is the only nonprofit solely dedicated to supporting Green Berets and their families that has achieved a 4-Star Rating with Charity Navigator for two consecutive years. Also, GBF is the sole special operations Nonprofit that is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of preparing, filing, and appealing disability claims. To learn more about the Green Beret Foundation, please visit greenberetfoundation.org

About the Special Operations Warrior Foundation 

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) began in 1980 after the daring attempt to rescue 53 American hostages in Iran, which ended in tragedy when a helicopter and C-130 aircraft collided. Eight souls were lost and they left behind 17 children. A battlefield promise to take care of those 17 children has become the noble cause of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation ensures full financial assistance for a post-secondary degree from an accredited two or four-year college, university, technical or trade school, as well as family and educational counseling, including in-home tutoring, to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty. The foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has provided scholarship grants, to over 1,000 children, who survive over 900 Special Operations personnel who gave their lives in service to our country.