Americans across the nation heard the powerful story of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Ryan Pitts in November during Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football, thanks to the work of two George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program alumni, Ian McDuffie and Elizabeth Pletcher.
The millions of viewers who tuned in learned how Pitts displayed extraordinary courage under fire on July 13, 2008, near Wanat Village in Afghanistan and how he has continued to give back to his community in the years since.
McDuffie, Class of 2024 and senior manager of Amazon Global Military Affairs, was tasked with finding a meaningful way to honor veterans during the game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets. He reached out to Pletcher, a member of the Class of 2022 and director of community engagement for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. She identified Pitts, who embodied everything they hoped to share as part of a mission to honor our nation’s heroes.
A story worth telling
Despite severe shrapnel wounds, Pitts took control of his observation post on that critical day in July 2008 and continued fighting, helping repel an overwhelming enemy force. Nine of his fellow soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice that day. President Barack Obama awarded Pitts the Medal of Honor in 2014.
What makes Pitts’ story particularly compelling is his continued dedication to service. A Massachusetts native now living in New Hampshire, he coaches youth football in his community. His commitment to developing the next generation reflects the same selfless leadership he demonstrated in combat – a reminder that for many veterans, the call to serve never truly ends.
The power of alumni networks
McDuffie and Pletcher’s collaboration exemplifies the enduring impact of the network built around the Veteran Leadership Program, which brings together accomplished leaders from diverse sectors across the country. The Scholars are motivated to increase their impact in supporting our nation’s veterans and their families, and they include active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and civilians from different backgrounds.
McDuffie pitched Pitts’ story to Amazon Prime Video, securing approval for a feature that aired during the Nov. 13 pregame show. Pletcher worked closely with the Prime Video production team and Pitts to develop a narrative honoring both his Medal of Honor action and his ongoing community impact. The segment reached millions of viewers, shining a spotlight on the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the values that define our veteran community.
The Veteran Leadership Program doesn’t just develop individual leaders – it creates lasting connections and collaborations between people committed to serving this community. When McDuffie and Pletcher connected across cohorts, they brought together Amazon’s platform, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s mission, and Pitts’ story to create something greater than any single person or organization could achieve alone.
A legacy of leadership
The Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program has engaged 280 leaders since 2018. Stories like this one demonstrate that the program’s true impact extends far beyond the final module. Alumni continue to collaborate, innovate, and find new ways to honor those who have served.
As Ryan Pitts would likely emphasize, his story isn’t about individual recognition – it’s about the comraderie and sacrifice that define our veteran community and the responsibility we all share to ensure their stories are told and their service is honored.
See the full story here: https://x.com/nflonprime/status/1989131827261435936?s=46
To learn more about the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, visit bushcenter.org/veteran-leadership
