Last updated on September 13, 2025
One of the privileges of my career has been meeting people who embody service in its purest form. They are not motivated by profit, recognition, or convenience. They serve because they feel called to do so, and because they believe their faith requires them to use their gifts for the benefit of others.
I came to know one such example through the Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF), an organization dedicated to helping combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families. Their work is as inspiring as it is practical: awarding mortgage-free homes, providing vehicles, and offering long-term mentoring support to help veterans transition back into civilian life.
When I first learned about the foundation, I was struck by the scale of its impact. It is one thing to speak about gratitude for our veterans. It is another to put gratitude into action. Providing a home to a family who has sacrificed so much is not just symbolic. It is life-changing. It restores stability, creates opportunity, and affirms dignity.
During my involvement with the foundation, I came to admire the leadership of Executive Director Ken Eakes. His quiet strength and steady guidance have helped MWSF grow into a respected national organization. But what makes the foundation so effective is not just one individual. It is the combined effort of its founder, its team of employees, its dedicated volunteers, and the many sponsors who make the mission possible. Together, they form a powerful network of service and generosity.
What has always impressed me about the MWSF is its culture of compassion paired with accountability. Veterans and families who come into contact with the organization are not treated as statistics or projects. They are seen as people, each with a story of sacrifice, resilience, and hope. That perspective, carried throughout the foundation’s work, has created an environment where service is anchored in faith and delivered with dignity.
Faith, after all, is not meant to remain an idea. It is meant to move us into action. Words of gratitude matter, but actions of gratitude matter more. The Military Warriors Support Foundation lives out that principle daily, and for me, it has been a reminder that real faith requires us to cross the gap between belief and practice.
This example has also challenged me personally. In business and community work, it is tempting to focus on efficiency, numbers, and outcomes. Those are important, but they cannot be the whole picture. The deeper question is: are we lifting others up along the way? Are we using what we have been given to make life better for someone else?
The ripple effect of organizations like MWSF is extraordinary. Because of their work, veterans have roofs over their heads and the stability to rebuild their lives. Families who once felt forgotten now know they are remembered. And countless people, myself included, are reminded that faith is not just something we profess on Sunday but something we practice every day of the week.
As I look back on my own journey, I am grateful for the leaders, staff, volunteers, and sponsors who make up the Military Warriors Support Foundation. Their example has expanded my understanding of what leadership and service can be. It is not about position or prestige. It is about faith in action.
That is a lesson worth carrying with us. Whatever our role, wherever we serve, we can make a difference when our actions match our values.
About the Author
David Vega is the author of Fool for Thought: Reflections on Life, Identity, and Open-Mindedness and CEO of Rockwall Capital Group, which owns The Rockwall Times. His weekly Life Happens column reflects on perseverance, leadership, and purpose, inspired by his own journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership. Active in the Rockwall community, David serves on several non-profit boards and enjoys giving back to the place he calls home with his wife and children. Learn more about his work at foolforthought.life
