About Us

Our Story

In the beginning…
Our organization was formed around a kitchen table with friends who decided that we all needed to do more to help disabled veterans and the warriors we meet who are all around us. Roles were assigned, a corporation was formed, and we were off and running. We are still running and the past few years have flown by. On June 2 of 2016 we were awarded a tax exempt status, 501 (C) (3) by the Internal Revenue Service. Our income is solely based on donations. As of FY 2018 there are no salaried employees and every dollar donated goes directly back to our programs.

In 2018 we will attend 4 minor events and of course our major Veteran’s Day Event in Charlotte and Mint Hill right here in our home of NC. Everyone is welcome to join us at any of these events and meet these veterans and warriors who have given so much.

Board of Directors

John Faust - Vice President - John is a retired Marine of 20 years. He have worked in law enforcement for 23 years with 6 years of that time running a youth program as part of the NYC School System. He enjoys riding and working on bikes and mentoring today’s youth. Being a member of Honor The Warriors gives him opportunities to show people that there is always hope and that there are heroes all around us in our every-day lives.

Klaus Siebert - Klaus was born in Mulhausen, Germany in 1938. At the age of 4 his father, a German Soldier, was killed near Stalingrad, Russia. At the age of 6 he and his entire family were placed in Buchenwald Concentration Camp and were liberated one year later by Allied Forces. His mother, brother and only one sister survived the concentration camp. After returning to Mulhausen, Communists took over the city and the Russian Secret Police arrested his mother as a spy. This left Klaus and his siblings alone. After 7 years of planning he and 24 others escaped from East Germany. To his knowledge only 5 of the group made it alive across the border. At that time he learned that his mother had escaped the Russians and was united with her in Fulda, Germany. He ventured across the border five more times, helping others escape. In 1954 Klaus’ mother married an American GI and they came to America, settling in Ohio.
Klaus joined the United States Marine Corps for 2 years. He then joined the United States Army for 9 ½ years, serving in Vietnam for 1 ½ years. Klaus later joined the United States Air Force where he stayed for the next 19 years.
Klaus retired from the Air Force in 1985 and came to West Mecklenburg High School (Charlotte) as an AFJROTC Instructor. He also worked as an ROTC Instructor at North Mecklenburg High School and Independence High School. While working in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for 25 years he was named Instructor of the Year 22 times. His ROTC Units have been named Meritorious Unit (once), Outstanding Unit (Twelve Times), and Distinguished Unit (Ten Times). After 53 years in uniform he retired in 2010.

Max E. Gray, CFO - Max holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and a graduate degree in Business - Finance from the University of Virginia. He has previously served in executive positions at numerous financial institutes in Virginia. He has extensive experience in capital markets, investment banking, lending, strategic planning, debt management, and negotiation management.
He currently serves as managing director and Board member of Odell Associates Incorporated in Charlotte, NC. His position is primarily responsible for the management of the company's financial and administrative activities to ensure maximum revenues and profits commensurate with the best interests of the stockholders, customers and employees. His extensive experience in financial management, organizational planning and special projects makes him an invaluable addition to our team.Max has supported veterans across the SE through, The Patriot Military Family Fund, The Green Beret Foundation, Purple Heart Homes, The Bob Woodruff Foundation and the USO of NC. Max has been a staunch supporter of Honor the Warriors since we our beginning.

Glenn McClary – Glen is from Jacksonville, NC. and served in the United States Marine Corps stationed at Camp Lejeune, Okinawa, Med Cruise, Guam, and Parris Island. He is a LAKA (left above the knee amputee) 12 years in May of 2018. He enjoys life one day at a time and is doing the things that keep him happy and fit. He believes challenging his disability makes him stronger every day. His daily goal is to inspire everyone he meets along life’s journey. "Just live your life the way you love, and love your life the way live it. Everything will be ok".

Jerry Morris – President -Jerry is a father, a brother, a husband and a friend. He is a proud veteran of the US Army where I spent 14 years serving this wonderful country. He has lived and worked in too many countries to list but has always marveled at the glory and the beauty of the country that is ours, the USA. He is currently a Clinical Faculty Member at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC where He trains paramedics to work in Emergency Medical Systems across the country. He has been and done many things in his life but without a doubt, being a member of Honor the Warriors is one of the most rewarding. He is working for a cause in which he deeply believes and is working with the best people in the world.

Nicholas Riggins – As Director of the Center for Military Families & Veterans, Nicholas leads daily business operations and oversees the execution of Central Piedmont Community College’s strategy for serving Military Families & Veterans. He started his career serving Veterans with Goodwill Industries. Nicholas has spoken locally and nationally on the topic of serving Veterans transition, including participating in a congressional panel on the subject.
Nicholas served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, including 3 tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF / OIF). He was a U.S. Air Force spouse prior to enlisting. Nicholas separated in 2008, as a single parent, moved to Charlotte and worked through the difficulties in making the transition. Nicholas has remarried, has two children and a dog.

ASSOCIATES

Sue Davis: Sue Davis is an Air Force Veteran who served as a Bioenvironmental Engineer 1987-1991. She sustained a traumatic brain injury in an off-duty accident that ultimately resulted in a medical discharge from the Air Force. She is an advocate with the Defense-Veteran Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) “A Head for the Future” program, advocating brain injury awareness and safety.
While in Germany in 2010, Sue learned about adaptive and rehabilitative cycling for injured and wounded military members. Upon her return to the states, she began a program in Charleston SC, getting injured and wounded Veterans cycling to help them heal from their visible and invisible injuries and wounds and connect with one another. From 2013 – 2016, Sue rode with several organizations in 22 states and France, cycling over 25,000 miles with Veterans. Sue is now based out of the Greenville SC area and continues to help others find success through cycling.

Norris (Tony) Hawkins: Tony is a Desert Storm/Desert Shield veteran of the US Navy. He is the father of two great kids, and currently lives in Marshville, NC with his service dog RJ. Tony is a full time wheelchair user due to a bone disease that severely limits the use of his legs. He got involved in handcycling to get back in shape.
Since he became affiliated with Honor the Warriors in 2015 he has found friendships and a sense of camaraderie that was missing in his life. He says he has accomplished more than he could have dreamed thanks to the support and encouragement of this wonderful team. He has become an example to others and a “roll” model for all. Tony says, “You will never know what you can accomplish if you do not try.”

Allen Gerhardt - As an Army Pilot Allen flew over 500 hours in (OIF) Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has also flown relief missions for hurricanes Katrina and Gustav. These missions gave him a tremendous amount of satisfaction providing relief to those in need and he also knows he helped take a lot of "Bad People" off of the streets.
While working as a Deputy Sheriff in Niagra Co, NY he was responding to a call for assistance. His patrol car hit a guard rail, that pierced through the car and severed both of his legs. One above the knee and one below the knee. To say his life was changed is an underestimate. Allen is a medically retired deputy and pilot for Niagara County Sheriffs’ Office since 2012. He was medically discharged from NY Army National Guard in 2015.
From his perspective, the best way to improve and retain a high quality of life for yourself when you are physically disabled is one key word” MOBILTY!” Being able to leave the doors of your home without assistance of others is the path to living a normal life. Also, giving and receiving strength from others helps the healing process, try not to let someone take the journey alone.