General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute & Museum

05/29/2026

Don't miss the newest episode of the Core Principles of Leadership Podcast featuring James Howard, Founder and President of VAU Veterans and Athletes United.

The Core Principles of Leadership Podcast episode 64 featuring Founder and President of Veterans and Athletes United, James Howard is NOW LIVE on your favorite podcast app!

James Howard, a retired Captain in the United States Army, grew up in Lynchburg, Va. as part of a large military family. He is one of three generations that served from WWII through the War on Terror with the 82nd Airborne. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2002 and commissioned into the Army. He had the privilege of serving in Iraq and completing Ranger, Sapper, Jumpmaster and Special Forces courses. James medically retired in 2010 after numerous combat and training injuries that left him a quadriplegic in a wheelchair.

He considers his injury as "a blessing by misfortune" which led him to start two all-volunteer non-profits. REACHcycles as well as Veterans and Athletes United. Both nonprofits have supported thousands of children and veterans with disabilities. James also helped design and coordinate the effort to build the VAU travelling fallen heroes’ memorial flag, which we had the privilege of hosting recently in Hobart, OK.

He works and volunteers for many other non-profits: SOCOM Care Coalition- mentor, former Quality of Life Foundation- Case Manager, Christopher Reeve Foundation- Military Veterans Program MVP Coordinator, National GWOT Memorial Foundation-Ambassador and Paralyzed Veterans of America-member.

The Core Principles of Leadership Podcast is brought to you each month by our generous sponsors: Krieger Insurance and the Larry LeBarre Family.

The Core Principles of Leadership Podcast, which is a product of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio Monday’s at 5 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app, just search the word - Wreath.

Listen Now!!
Learn more and listen now: https://ow.ly/Ci4w50PCbpP

05/28/2026

We appreciate Red Dirt Media for capturing all the festivities at Celebration of Freedom! Make plans to join us next year!

05/23/2026

SAVE THE DATE!
The General Tommy Franks Celebration of Freedom will return May 15, 2027

05/19/2026

We are proud to be part of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Johnny Micheal Spann Ally Program. If you are in the DC area on Memorial Day please join them at the future site of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial to pay tribute to the thousands of brave individuals who have courageously given their lives for our freedom.

Will you be in the Washington, D.C. area this ?

Join us and the National Park Service on Monday, May 25 at 8 a.m. ET at the future site of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial.

As part of a meaningful tribute by the Doughboy Foundation, Taps will be played at all of the current and future monument and memorial sites across the National Mall and Memorial Parks as we pause to honor those who gave their lives in service to our Nation. 🎺

05/16/2026

VAU Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall Ceremony

05/16/2026

The VAU Veterans and Athletes United Memorial Wall is in Hobart! We would like to thank our very generous sponsors in helping make it possible for the flag to be on display for the first time in Southwest Oklahoma, especially our Gold Star Sponsors Cattlemens Bank and Zack Burkett Co. These two businesses are loyal supporters in all that we do at the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum.

05/14/2026

Thank you Morel Designs for our amazing windows for Celebration of Freedom this weekend. We are excited to see everyone.

05/14/2026

Loved visiting with all the residents at Touchmark at Coffee Creek Retirement Community

05/12/2026

Don’t forget to come out and see the memorial this weekend in Hobart. If you’d like to be part of the wall es**rt from Altus to Hobart on Friday at 3 pm, please reach out. We’d love for you to join us

The Western Memorial GWOT flag will be on display 16 May in Hobart. Ok at the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute & Museum
We appreciate their support towards honoring and remembering these fallen heroes.
Event Address: 507 S. main St. Hobart, Ok 73451




www.VetsAU.org/memorial

05/06/2026

We have loved our time with the residents at Touchmark at Coffee Creek Retirement Community