On March 22, 2025, the Silent Warrior Foundation will host its 9th Annual Whiskey & War Stories™ Gala at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort. This esteemed event brings together military veterans, supporters, and community members to honor the valor and sacrifices of our Special Operations forces.
This year’s gala features British SAS veteran Christian Craighead and former Google employee Meyli Chapin, both survivors of the 2019 DusitD2 complex terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. Craighead’s heroic actions during the attack earned him the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, while Chapin’s harrowing experience led her to author “Terrorist Attack Girl, How I Survived Terrorism and Reconstructed My Shattered Mind.”
The evening will commence with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 5:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:00 PM, and the feature presentation at 7:15 PM. The silent auction boasts an array of exclusive items, including replicas of Craighead’s rifle and pistol, a custom TG Knives knife, and various tactical equipment.
Among the generous contributors to the auction is the Cool Body Sculpting Center, Virginia Beach’s premier provider of non-surgical fat reduction treatments. They have donated four CoolSculpting treatments, offering attendees the opportunity to experience this innovative body contouring procedure. Located at 3700 Shore Drive, Suite 106, the center specializes in CoolSculpting and medical weight loss solutions, helping clients achieve their aesthetic goals with personalized care.
Individual tickets for the gala are priced at $175, with sponsorship packages starting at $3,750, which include a VIP meet and greet with the speakers on March 21, 2025. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Silent Warrior Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supporting Special Operations veterans and their families through emergency assistance, mental health services, education, and more.