Philadelphia Eagles Hometown Hero

Dale Wetherill is a proud Marine Corps veteran who served on active duty from 1994 to 1999 and was Platoon Sergeant for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Hailing from Doylestown PA, SGT Wetherill was drawn to TMF through the Marine Corps Marathon and the annual 9/11 Heroes Run. He graduated from TMF's Spartan Leadership Program and is a dedicated Veteran Mentor who uses his experience to inspire the next generation of leaders. Guided by core values like integrity, love, and perseverance, he believes in the power of paying it forward and has inspired thousands of young adults through TMF's Character Does Matter program—hoping that even one young person walks away inspired to lead their lives with character. His message is clear: you don't need a uniform to make a difference. Find the "If Not Me, Then Who…" moment in everything you do. Every…single…day!

Brad Adams is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, community leader, and dedicated member of the Bucks County Chapter of Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). A lifelong Philadelphian, Brad graduated from St. Joseph's Prep and later the University of Pennsylvania before commissioning as an Infantry Officer (0302) in the Marine Corps.

From 2011 to 2020, Brad served both on active duty and in the reserves, finishing his service at the rank of Major. He spent the majority of his active-duty career with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines from 2012 to 2016, completing two deployments and serving in key leadership roles, including Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander. After transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserves, Brad continued to lead and mentor Marines within 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, where he supported multiple training exercises and a bilateral overseas training operation. He rounded out his reserve time with Marine Corps Advisor Company–A (MCAC-A), further strengthening his experience in advising and partner engagement.

Brad's commitment to service didn't end when he hung up the uniform. Through TMF, he now serves as a Veteran Mentor, Operation Legacy service project leader, and active volunteer supporting youth across the greater Philadelphia region. Brad is passionate about empowering others to live with character and recognize their ability to lead. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in Southampton with their four children—Brad (7), Owen (4), Layla (2), and Nathan (6 months)—who inspire his continued dedication to serving as a role model in his community.

Charlie Elison currently serves as a Sergeant Major in the New Jersey Army National Guard's Fightin' 44th Brigade Combat Team. He is an infantryman by trade, with more than 23 years in uniform in both the Army and National Guard components. He served during the initial invasion of Iraq, two subsequent tours to Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan, and dozens of short operational and training missions across the globe, including serving as a military professional development and operations staff capacity building advisor in Albania, Republic of Georgia, Israel and El Salvador. On the civilian side, Charlie recently departed federal civilian service after considerable time at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. He is most proud of supporting FEMA's role in Operation Allies Welcome, one of our nation's largest humanitarian resettlement operations, as well as his role during the response and recovery of more than a dozen natural disasters.

Charlie connected with Travis Manion Foundation in 2015, and found his calling to serve his community through Character Does Matter youth mentorship and Operation Legacy service projects which honor fallen heroes. Charlie currently serves on the organizing team for the Philadelphia 9/11 Heroes Run. He honors the legacies of fallen Philadelphians Army Major John Pryor and Army Lieutenant Demetrius Frison.

In addition to volunteering extensively with Travis Manion Foundation, Charlie is also a member and longtime supporter of the Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network and several other veteran-business focused initiatives that help make Philly the best place for military servicemembers and veterans. He is very involved in clean and green initiatives in his community in South Philly, and is deeply invested in welcoming new Americans, especially new Philadelphians from all over the world.

Renieal "Reni" Campbell is a TMF Veteran Mentor and U.S. Army Reserve leader whose service began at 17 when she enlisted to pursue higher education and greater purpose. After completing Basic Training and AIT, she attended Temple University, graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies and a pre-med focus. During that time, she also earned the title of Miss Pennsylvania Earth USA 2022 and worked professionally as a signed model in New York.

In her military career, Reni has served as a Drill Sergeant, training more than 6,000 soldiers, and as a Communications Security and Repair Supervisor. While serving on active duty, she completed an accelerated MBA program at Penn State in 2024 — balancing full-time studies in Pennsylvania with full-time military duties in South Carolina. In 2025, she was board-selected as a Warrant Officer Candidate and Aviation Officer, and will attend Army Warrant Officer School and Flight School, advancing a lifelong dream.

Outside the military, Reni remains committed to service through mentorship. As a TMF Character Does Matter Mentor, she empowers young people to discover their strengths, build confidence, and lead with character. She also plans to continue her academic journey by pursuing medical school following completion of Temple University's pre-med post-bacc program — with the goal of a long and impactful career serving others both in and out of uniform.

Connie Whalen is a proud United States Navy veteran who dedicated over 20 years of service to our nation, retiring in 2009 as a Navy Career Counselor. She enlisted at just 17, uncertain of her future but ready for a challenge that would shape her life.

During her military career, Connie earned numerous honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, 4- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, 3- Navy Meritorious Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and 25 prestigious Gold Wreath Awards for outstanding recruiting contributions during the Gulf Wars, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Desert Storm for her dedicated service and leadership.

Today, Connie continues to selflessly serve the military and veteran community. She is a dedicated volunteer with Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), serving as the leader of the Philadelphia Chapter and a Veteran Mentor for TMF's flagship youth mentorship program, Character Does Matter. Connie also serves as Vice President of the Guardians of the National Cemetery at Washington Crossing National Cemetery and as a member of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's Naval Academy Review Board, helping to shape the next generation of naval leaders.

Jimmy White IV is a South Philadelphia native who served in the US Navy from 2000-2006 as a nuclear electrician on board the fast attack submarine USS Montpelier. In 2003, his submarine was part of "Shock and Awe," supporting ground troops by firing 20 Tomahawk missiles as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his military career, he was named Honor Recruit for his bootcamp division, earned three Navy Achievement Medals for his outstanding service, and was named Junior Sailor of the Year for his command. He completed his military career by achieving the rank of 1st class petty officer.

Jimmy is a dedicated Veteran Mentor with Travis Manion Foundation. He has delivered presentations on character to thousands of youth nationwide and honored fallen service members through annual service projects, including neighborhood cleanups and Thanksgiving turkey giveaways for families in need in Greater Philadelphia. He also serves as a Veteran Mentor for the Garnet Valley High School and Henderson High School football programs. In 2018, Jimmy was awarded Travis Manion Foundation's 'If Not Me, Then Who...' award with fellow veteran Thomas Hixon for their work honoring Chris Hixon, the Athletic Director of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, who courageously confronted a school shooter and gave his life to save others.

A dedicated advocate for both youth and veterans, Jimmy is an alumnus of Leadership Philadelphia and a Presidential Scholar for the GW Bush Center Veteran Leadership Program. In 2022, he was awarded the University City Science Center's Nucleus Cultivator Award for supporting entrepreneurship and business development in the Philadelphia area. In 2024, he was named the "Service Leaver of the Year" by the US Armed Forces in Business Awards for excellence in business and community service. He is a TEDx Speaker, a speaker for the Military Veterans in Journalism, a supporter of the Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network, a volunteer for the KB Foundation, a board member for the Philadelphia Union Foundation, the board chair for the Hero Project Network, and a minister at the Prophetic Church of Christ in South Philadelphia.

Joey was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon Graduation from the Naval Academy and served on Active Duty until 2009. While on Active Duty, Joey served with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines and deployed to Fallujah Iraq in 2005. He was then assigned to MCRD San Diego where he was promoted to the Rank of Captain and supported the training of Marines at the West Coast Boot Camp. In 2009 Joey moved home to Pennsylvania to begin a civilian career while transferring his service to the Marine Corps Reserves.

Joey returned to active duty for a brief period in 2011 and deployed to Cap Dra, Morocco for a joint exercise, and follow on duties at Marine Corps Forces Command in Norfolk, VA.

In his reserve career, Joey is currently a LtCol and a MEPLO in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Joey now serves as an active volunteer and veteran Mentor for Travis Manion Foundation and is honored to give an "Introduction to Character" presentation to the Plebes at the Naval Academy on behalf of Travis Manion Foundation.

Ryan Manion has dedicated her life to supporting our nation's military, veterans, and families of fallen heroes. She is inspired by the character, leadership, and sacrifice of her brother 1stLt Travis Manion, USMC, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq on April 29th, 2007.

As CEO of Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), Ryan leads a national movement focused on empowering veterans and families of the fallen to serve as community leaders and develop character in future generations. TMF is one of the nation's leading Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), inspiring members nationwide to adopt the "If Not Me, Then Who…" ethos.

Carrying on the legacy of her brother Travis, Ryan has been recognized with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service. Ryan served for more than a decade in local government, holds an honorary degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, and is a Veteran Leadership Fellow of the George W. Bush Institute. Ryan has three children, resides in Philadelphia, PA and is a passionate Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Col. Tom Manion started his career in the Marine Corps – retiring after 30 years as a Colonel. Besides his military career, Tom joined Johnson & Johnson in 1990 and through the years held various leadership roles before retiring in 2014 after 23 years. Tom is the father of 1stLt. Travis Manion. Travis was a Marine leader who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in April 2007.

After the loss of Travis, the family established the Travis Manion Foundation to support our military, the families of the fallen and to help create the next generation of leaders. Through the Foundation, Tom has worked within the community and around the country to inspire people around him, to convey a sense of sacrifice and public service in all they do. Tom's late wife, founder and visionary of the Travis Manion Foundation, Janet Manion, passed away April 24, 2012, devoting every day to putting service above self.

Tom is also the co-author of the recently released book, "Brothers Forever", the story about the friendship, service and sacrifice between Travis and his Naval Academy roommate LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney.