Team Jesse Sponsors Survivors Who Honor Their Fallen Military Heroes

Through the generosity of our donors, Team Jesse funded seven of the 11 surviving wives, fiancés and girlfriends of fallen military heroes who traveled to Cusco, Peru with the Travis Manion Foundation on July 15,2014 to spend 10 days honoring the fallen by challenging the living. The women, who traveled from all over the U.S., came together and embarked on a journey to hike the mountains and continue to heal from their loss. The Travis Manion Foundation organized and funded the expedition, called Survivor Summit 2014, which was led by Soldiers 2 Summit, an organization that empowers survivors to overcome barriers and reclaim their lives by embracing the past, present and future. The women began their journey in Cusco- Sacred Valley, Peru and spent five days at different camp locations through the Lares Trek, hiking just over 30 miles. The group braved rain, hail, snow and illness to reach the summit of Puma Huanca at 15,100 feet. Following their first hike, all of the women participated in a service project at the local school in Cuncani. They prepared breakfast for the students and built, restored and painted a playground. The women then traveled to Machu Picchu and hiked the Sun Gate Trail.

“The Travis Manion Foundation believes the best way to honor the fallen is by challenging the living,” Amy Looney, Director of Survivor Services for TMF and surviving wife of LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney said. “We spent our time challenging ourselves both physically and mentally, and serving the community and each other in honor of our fallen loved ones.”

Survivor Summit 2014 was the third Expedition funded by the Travis Manion Foundation so far this year. Expeditions bring families of the fallen together for uniquely-designed, service-based trips to communities in need. These fully-funded trips ensure that the legacies of our nation’s fallen heroes live on and create a community of support for survivors.