2023 Banquet - Washington Guard

2023 Banquet

2nd Annual - October 7, 2023

A great and memorable evening.

Staff Sergeant (Ret.)
Johnny "Joey" Jones

"Joey is a
contributor across
all FOX News
Media platforms"

Combat-wounded, Joey lost both of his legs above the knee and suffered severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists . He shares how he turned a traumatic, life-changing disability into a life-changing perspective .

Known to his friends as 'Triple J,' Jones was raised in Dalton, Georgia and enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school. During his eight years of service, he worked as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb) Technician, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan on separate tours.

One of his many contributions, Joey was determined to make the road to recovery easier for his fellow wounded veterans, Jones founded a peer visit program at Walter Reed, providing opportunities for others recovering to mentor and encourage newly injured patients. His dedication and relentlessness led to an unprecedented year-long fellowship on Capitol Hill with the House of Representatives Veterans' Affairs Committee. His work resulted in the creation of an annual fellowship for a wounded Marine.

Jones’ first book, “Unbroken Bonds of Battle” released June 27, 2023 is now in stores and online wherever you buy books. This book offers deep insight into the relationships and events that forged Jones’ outlook on life. Jones’ does so by interviewing 10 heroes who each played an important part in his life and recovery, as well as their own story. You’ll find gold star family members, childhood best friends, professional athletes, politicians, and wounded warriors all with an enlightening take on how to get through hardships.

Sergeant Sammy Davis

"THE REAL FORREST GUMP"

Before joining the Army, Sammy Davis worked at the restaurant

inside his hometown bowling alley. As he was working, he watched

a clip of Roger Donlon receiving the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
That brief moment inspired him and, after he graduated from
high school, Davis enlisted in the U.S. Army.

He was the son of a proud artilleryman and, like many teenagers, wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.
After completing his artillery training, Davis requested to serve in Vietnam and was soon shipped out.
Once there, he served as part of a field artillery crew that provided close support to the
men serving in the infantry.

The story of Sammy Davis inspired the war scenes in the movie ‘Forrest Gump’.