Above & Beyond

The VET Foundation Above and Beyond Award was created to honor a service disabled veteran who best exemplifies outstanding character, leadership, and who has risen above their disability to not just perform but excel in their post military career.

Award Recipients

Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, United States Navy Reserve (Retired)

Thomas R. Norris was born in 1944, and raised in Wisconsin and Maryland.  He graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Criminology.   He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 until medically retired in 1975 due to wounds received in Vietnam.

During his military career as a Navy SEAL he served two tours of duty in Vietnam were he completed an unprecedented ground rescue of two downed pilots, for which he received our country’s highest recognition, the Medal of Honor.  He was subsequently wounded in a fierce gun battle in one of the last actions of the war and in which his fellow SEAL teammate, Michael Thornton, received the Medal of Honor for his rescue.

After completing medical treatment for his wounds, he applied and was accepted in  1979 as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he completed a 20-year career.  He was especially effective in sensitive undercover operations and  international and domestic terrorism cases.

He is currently retired and enjoys hunting, fishing and raising horses.

Sponsorship

$20,000 | Admiral Nimitz

  • Sponsors 13 Warriors to Operation Real Transition 5 Day Retreat
  • 1 VIP Table of 10 (including 2 wounded warriors)
  • Company Name and Logo prominently displayed on:
    • Prominent recognition in ads in Military publications
    • Prominent recognition during our PSA’s by Rays Announcer Dewayne Staats and Sex in the City Star David Eigenberg
    • Full page ad with premiere position in event program
    • Large screen in Ballroom during event

$10,000 | General Patton

  • 1 VIP Table of 10 (including 2 wounded warriors)
  • Company Name and Logo prominently displayed on:
    • Prominent recognition in ads in Military publications
    • Prominent recognition during our PSA’s by Rays Announcer Dewayne Staats
    • Half page ad with premiere position in event program
    • Large screen in Ballroom during event

$5,000 | Chesty Puller

  • 1 VIP Table of 10 Company
  • Name and Logo prominently displayed on:
    • 1/2 page ad with premiere position in event program
    • Large screens in Ballroom during event

Other

  • $14,000 Valet Sponsorship (place your ad in each car)
  • $700 Full Page Ad (8” x 10.5”)
  • $350 ½ Page Ad (8”x 5”)
  • $150 Dinner (per person)
  • $1500 Table (tables seat 10 guests)