Semper Fi & America’s Fund Highlights Veterans Featured in the 2026 AMAs Salute Initiative
News
OCEANSIDE, Calif., May 25, 2026 – Semper Fi & America’s Fund (The Fund), a nonprofit that provides critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families with urgently needed resources and lifetime support, is proud to announce the veterans who attended the American Music Awards (AMAs) as part of the 2026 AMAs Salute Initiative. Hosted on Memorial Day, the campaign recognized the sacrifices made by members of the military community while highlighting the organizations that support them during and after service.
Veterans who joined The Fund at the AMAs include Army Staff Sergeant Wallace Fanene, Marine Sergeant Leon Pierce, Marine Corporal Adam Bautz, Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant Dennis Funtila, and Navy Corpsman Second Class Thomas Scott.
“Being part of this celebration was incredibly special because it recognized the sacrifices over a million men and women have made for their country,” said Thomas Scott, U.S. Navy Corpsman Second Class. “Years after leaving the military, our sense of service and connection never fades, and initiatives like this remind veterans that their experiences matter and that their country will always honor them.”
The 2026 AMAs Salute Initiative brought together 11 of the nation’s leading Military & Veterans Service Organizations, including The Fund, to demonstrate the deep commitment these organizations have made to improving the quality of life for service members, veterans, and military families. Millions of viewers had the opportunity to see firsthand The Fund’s mission of providing one-on-one, lifetime support from bedside through recovery and beyond.
“The American Music Awards’ Salute Initiative spotlighted our men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country and who come home with real challenges—the visible and invisible wounds of war,” said Karen Guenther, Founder and CEO of Semper Fi & America’s Fund. “At The Fund, we show our service members and veterans that they are never alone—that they are never forgotten. We are here to support them for as long as they need, and we see every day just how impactful continued support is. The strides that they make in recovery, with our real-time support, are incredible. We are honored to have the AMA showcase our hard work and those we serve. Having their stories recognized on Memorial Day, in front of millions of viewers, was especially meaningful and helped bring greater awareness to the realities veterans and military families navigate after service.”
Additional information about the campaign and participating partners can be found at theamas.com/Salute/.
About Semper Fi & America’s Fund
Semper Fi & America’s Fund provides urgently needed resources and lifetime support for combat-wounded, critically ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Fund delivers comprehensive programs that ensure service members, veterans, and their families have the support they need during recovery and throughout their lives.
Media Contact: Thefund@pinkston.co