Honoring Heroes in Madison: Inside Lettermen of the U.S.A.’s Autographs for Heroes Event

Mark White | The Mark White Show

Madison, Alabama - Gratitude filled the room and footballs became more than souvenirs, they became symbols of thanks.

At the center of it all was the annual Autographs for Heroes event, a partnership between Lettermen of the U.S.A. and the Semper Fi Community Task Force, where veterans are honored with autographed college footballs and, more importantly, with time, attention, and appreciation.

Throughout the day I had the privilege of speaking with veteran Chris Ferrell, Lettermen of the U.S.A. Vice President Desmond Holoman, former Alabama offensive lineman David “Hoss” Johnson, and Lettermen of the U.S.A. President Darryl Fuhrman. Their stories and perspectives show what happens when sports, service, and community come together for a greater purpose.

Chris Ferrell: “I Did Not Feel Worthy To Be Here”

My first conversation was with Chris Ferrell, an Air Force veteran and self-described LSU Tiger fan who made the trip to Alabama as part of the Semper Fi Community Task Force group.

Chris admitted something that stuck with me.

He said there was a moment when he felt he did not deserve to be in a place like this, surrounded by honor and recognition. Like many veterans, he felt that others were more deserving. Others had sacrificed more. Others should be the ones receiving the attention.

But as he talked, it was clear he had given plenty. He served after 9/11, a decision shaped by what he saw as a senior in high school in ROTC. He watched the towers fall, and in that moment he decided he could not stand by while bullies attacked our country.

That decision led him to Afghanistan and Iraq, serving alongside Marines he grew to love and respect. He was later medically retired after multiple explosions and crashes. Once the military told him he was finished, he wrestled with the loss of purpose that so many veterans feel.

Today, Chris works for Air Force Special Operations as a civilian. His official title is Special Operations Combat Training Specialist. He trains special operators at home and abroad to become better warfighters and protectors of our nation.

On top of that, he spends a great deal of time speaking publicly on leadership, trauma, and recovery, sharing his own journey to help others in the veteran and law enforcement communities find a way forward.

He told listeners he is an open book and is always willing to talk, whether it is a large group or a one-on-one coffee conversation. His contact email runs through his wife, Lauren, laurenbferrell@yahoo.com.

Chris is living proof that feeling unworthy does not mean you are. Sometimes the most humble stories are the ones that deserve the spotlight the most.

Desmond Holoman: Serving Those Who Served

Next, I spoke with Desmond Holoman, Vice President and Director of Operations for Lettermen of the U.S.A.

Desmond was busy at the event, working the room, greeting veterans, and helping manage the flow of footballs, signatures, and smiles. He oversees everything from finances to events and programs for the organization.

Desmond did not serve in the military himself, but military service runs deep in his family. His father and grandfather both served, and he grew up surrounded by veterans. His professional life kept him close to the mission as well, working as a defense contractor supporting the military.

To him, working with Lettermen of the U.S.A. is a natural extension of how he was raised. It is a way to honor those who have worn the uniform by using the connections and influence of former college athletes to give back.

He shared how meaningful it is to sit down with veterans, especially older ones like the Vietnam veteran at the event who opened up to him. Sometimes it is not the football that matters most. It is the conversation. The time. The acknowledgment that what they did matters and is not forgotten.

David “Hoss” Johnson: Country Before Colors

If you follow Alabama football, you probably know the name David “Hoss” Johnson. Born and raised in Huntsville, he was a two time all state player, an All American in 1982, and the last player recruited and signed by Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. He lettered three years with the Crimson Tide, playing in 48 games and starting in 28, and he is part of the Alabama All Decade Team of the 1980s.

At Autographs for Heroes, though, Hoss was not there as a football celebrity. He was there to serve.

He has been involved with Lettermen of the U.S.A. for years and has watched the Autographs for Heroes event grow. Hundreds of footballs have been given to veterans through this effort, each one signed by players and coaches from schools across the country.

Hoss understands the work it takes to get those footballs. It is not as simple as calling one person. It means contacting schools, tracking down coaches and players, coordinating shipping, and working through all the details required to put a signed ball in a veteran’s hands.

He laughed about the LSU fan who received a signed LSU ball and the Alabama fan who wanted Alabama. For Hoss, it is all in good fun, but he quickly brought it back to what matters most.

He said it this way. It is about country before school colors.

He pointed out that Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, Missouri, Virginia, the Air Force Academy, and many others are all part of the same United States. In a room full of veterans, the rivalry is friendly. The respect is serious.

Hoss also reflected on the humility he saw from veterans like Chris Ferrell, who did not feel worthy to be recognized. It reminded him that many who served feel they were simply doing their duty, not doing something deserving of praise. That humility is part of what makes events like this so meaningful.

Darryl Fuhrman: A Vision Grown Slowly and Faithfully

To close out the show, I spoke with Darryl Fuhrman, President of Lettermen of the U.S.A., a former Alabama player himself and the driving force behind this growing effort.

Lettermen of the U.S.A. is now 14 years old. The partnership with the Semper Fi Community Task Force and the Autographs for Heroes event has been going for 12 of those years. What started as a small, scrappy effort has grown into a respected non-profit that stands alongside other veteran focused organizations in Alabama.

Darryl remembers the early days clearly. He described the organization as a little Thomas the Tank Engine, barely rubbing nickels together and sacrificing personally just to keep things going.

He spoke with deep gratitude about the Semper Fi Community Task Force and how they helped nurture Lettermen of the U.S.A. when the organization was young. Today, the group is able to stand on its own, but those early relationships still matter.

His connection to veterans is personal. His father served in the United States Marine Corps and instilled in him a love of country and Corps at an early age. Recently, Darryl pulled out his father’s globe and anchor during the event as the Marine Corps celebrated 250 years. It was an emotional moment that reminded everyone why this work means so much to him.

Beyond Footballs: CTE, Turkeys for Heroes, and What Comes Next

Darryl also shared a glimpse of what is ahead for Lettermen of the U.S.A.

The organization is partnering with the Concussion Legacy Foundation on an important initiative related to CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition affecting athletes and veterans who have experienced repeated head trauma. Lettermen of the U.S.A. will host a landing page for this work, and the Concussion Legacy Foundation will host one as well, listing colleges and universities that can benefit from the program.

Darryl wants this effort to serve athletes from all schools, not just Alabama, Auburn, or UAB. In his words, Lettermen of the U.S.A. is for everybody.

At the same time, the group continues hands on efforts like Turkeys for Heroes, which provides Thanksgiving meals to veterans. This year they are partnering with the Birmingham Vet Center, Kelly Ingram Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 668, the VA, suicide prevention teams, and HUD-VASH.

The goal this year is to reach 220 veterans, up from 130 last year and 66 the year before. As Darryl explained, this is not a sit down dinner. Volunteers deliver meals to veterans who might otherwise go without a traditional holiday meal. It is about showing up at the doorstep and saying, you are seen and you are appreciated.

How to Join the Team

At the end of our conversation, Darryl shared an invitation.

If you want to be part of a team that supports veterans through events like Autographs for Heroes, Turkeys for Heroes, and future CTE awareness work, you can join the team at Lettermen of the U.S.A.

Visit LOTUSA.org to learn more, sign up, or make a donation. Monthly gifts of any amount help sustain the mission. End of year contributions, whether 25 dollars, 500 dollars, or more, help expand the reach to even more veterans.

Darryl joked that if someone gives a $5,000 or $10,000 dollar gift, he and the team will show up at their house with John Corso’s special Italian sauce and have a party, and he said to make sure the video guy comes too.

Behind the humor is a simple truth. This is a family.

Former college athletes, business leaders, volunteers, veterans, and supporters are all working together toward one goal. Honor those who served.

From Madison, Alabama, surrounded by veterans, lettermen, and community partners, it was a privilege to be on site and to share these conversations. If you are a veteran, thank you. If you support veterans, keep going. And if you are looking for a way to get involved, organizations like Lettermen of the U.S.A. are ready to welcome you to the team.