Danielle L. Green – US Army Retired Veteran

Currently lives in St Petersburg, FL, after May Schererville, IN

Kid – Daniel 10

Danielle Green was raised in the inner city of Chicago, a place where challenges were a daily reality.  Despite the many obstacles, she worked tirelessly to earn a basketball scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.  She left the program as the 16th All-time leading scorer after averaging 1.1 points per game as a freshman.

After teaching and coaching for a couple of years, Danielle call to serve others became her driving force.  At the age of 25, she enlisted in the U.S. Army as a military police officer.

In 2004, while patrolling on a 115-degree rooftop in Baghdad, Iraq, Danielle was injured by a rocket-propelled grenade blast causing her to lose her dominant left arm. And in that moment, she prayed for 3 things – she wanted to live, she wanted to tell her story, and she wanted a child.  Danielle was awarded the Purple Heart.

Danielle returned to Chicago to complete a master’s degree in counseling.  She also embarked on a career with the Chicago Board of Education and continued with a career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for 12 years as a readjustment counselor.  As a result of her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the community in which she served, Danielle received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 ESPY awards. 

Now Danielle travels the country as a spokesperson with Wounded Warrior Project in the hope of making a difference in people’s lives and creating awareness for veterans.  She enjoys playing golf, exercising, trying new activities, relaxing, solitude to reflect and traveling with her talented son who is her “why.”

Danielle believes that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This climb will represent a physical, psychological and spiritual journey.  She wants to enjoy the process of training and climbing the mountain with other teammates.  She believes that when one experiences a life-altering event like herself or witnesses the inhumanities of war like so many other warriors/people, the challenges presented before us appear insurmountable like the mountain.  But we must keep moving forward.  We must embrace the journey no matter the unforeseen.  The mountain will offer Danielle opportunities to push outside of her comfort zone, grow, build resilience and reach new unimaginable heights.  She wants to inspire others and give others strength and hope. Danielle wants to show others that with the proper mindset anything is possible despite any perceived physical or mental limitations.

Franz Brueger 

Franz Brueger was born in Germany in 1948 and immigrated to the United States in 1966. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 and served with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he was stationed near Lhe Khe as part of a signal battalion. During his deployment, Franz managed his platoon’s motor pool and delivered critical communications supplies through jungle terrain. He returned home in 1970.

Franz spent most of his career self-employed, working diligently for nearly 40 years before retiring. He has been married for 45 years and now enjoys time in his garden, finding joy in flowers and the peace of a quiet life.

Later in life, Franz became involved with the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance organization in 2019, which he describes as a new and meaningful family. The camaraderie and shared experiences with fellow veterans from all branches and eras of service have brought him purpose and healing.

While Franz has experienced significant loss—including the death of his father at a young age, the passing of close friends and family, and the tragic murder of his only daughter—these moments, though deeply painful, do not define him. They are a part of his story, but not the whole of it. His resilience, service, and commitment to finding connection and growth later in life are what truly stand out.

Jason Adcock, United States Marine Corps

Currently lives:  Fayetteville, Arkansas

Hometown:  Rogers, Arkansas

Marine Corps veteran Jason Adcock served both Active Duty and Reserves from 1994-2002, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a Korean War veteran. His exemplary leadership as an Infantry Squad Leader earned him several citations to include a Navy Achievement Medal.

After injuring his left ankle and foot while on active duty, he had a series of surgeries to fix the damage.  The last surgery resulted in an infection that could not be resolved with medication.  He was then told that leg would have to be amputated.  This led to a down word spiral into severe depression, alcoholism and drug addiction.  He lost himself and attempted suicide.  Some friends at SDIA reached out several times encouraging him to come on an Outdoor Adventure.  That OA completely changed the trajectory of his life.

Jason found a new path forward through the Warrior PATHH program, which he attended just two weeks after treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. This experience became the cornerstone of his recovery, teaching him that “it’s what happened, not who I am.” It showed him how to turn struggle into strength.  The program became the foundation for both his mental wellness journey and physical transformation, including an inspiring 80-pound weight loss journey.   

Today, Jason serves as a Outdoor Adventure Coordinator with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance at its National Headquarters in Rogers, Arkansas. Based in Fayetteville, he is an active member of the recovery community and finds renewed purpose through participating in Disaster Response Missions with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance. His story and ongoing work demonstrate the power of vulnerability, community, and service in healing. Jason dedicates himself to supporting fellow veterans, showing others that there is hope and that healing is possible through community, service, and adventure.

Ronnie Johansen

Currently Lives: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hometown: Franklin Park, Illinois

Family: Married to Brianna Johansen. They have three children: Alyssa (21), Axl (8), and Adleigh (5).

Their home is ruled by their English bulldog, Roxz, along with two cats, Tinkerbell and Paco. Ronnie is a Marine who graduated from Marine Corps boot camp in 1994, the last graduating battalion before the crucible. After SOI, he was stationed with the 1st Battalion 7th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California, Alpha Company, Weapons Platoon, 60 mm mortar. As a highly trained tube stroker, Ron served eight years as a mortarman in the U.S. Marine Corps, enduring deployments filled with diverse experiences and challenges. The resulting medical record is so extensive, it could rival the heft of the largest encyclopedias. He proudly embodies the grit and humor of the “Old Corps” era instilled in its service members. After his service, Ronnie transitioned into civilian life and spent years building a successful hardwood flooring business. However, life’s unexpected turns led him to relocate the business in 2017 to move his family to Arkansas and care for his ailing father, who suffered from vascular dementia, COPD, and other aging related dilemmas after a lifetime of self-abusive behavior. This deeply personal journey shaped Ronnie’s understanding of resilience, family dynamics, and the importance of finding purpose even in the hardest circumstances. Ronnie embodies the motto “Once a Marine, always a Marine”. He first connected with SDIA while helping build the staircase at Tuskegee Hall, and later participated in Warrior PATHH, where he learned about post-traumatic growth and the art of “struggling well.” With SDIA, Ronnie also achieved a lifelong dream by visiting Yellowstone National Park. Now, Ronnie is preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as part of SDIA’s “Climb for a Cause.” For Ronnie, this journey represents more than just a physical challenge—it’s a commitment to maximizing the potential for good in his life. By choosing to embrace SDIA’s “struggle well” principles, he’s prioritizing wellness in every area of life: mind, body, and spirit. This climb is his way of demonstrating to his children and community that resilience, purpose, and a thriving life are possible when you lean into challenges with intention and determination.