Board of Directors
Ryan Brazel
PresidentRyan@warriorswalk-il.org
Ryan Brazel is a retired 22-year veteran of the United States Navy, serving with distinction in both active duty and reserve capacities. Throughout his military career, Ryan completed five deployments to the Middle East, including missions involving small boat operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Iraq, and Oman. During his military service, Ryan pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College in Naperville, IL.
His commitment to serving his community continued as he became a Law Enforcement Officer with a south Chicago suburban police department, a role he has held for over eight years. Ryan is also deeply involved in veteran advocacy and support. As an active member of the New Lenox VFW Post #9545, he served as a House Committee Member for three years, contributing his leadership and dedication to fellow veterans. Ryan’s passion for service and community continues to drive his efforts in making a difference for veterans and their families.
Laura Duncan
SecretaryLaura@warriorswalk-il.org
Laura is the Secretary for the New Lenox American Legion Auxiliary Post #1977 and longtime resident of New Lenox who is deeply committed to supporting her community and honoring those who serve. With a strong family connection to the military—which includes her grandfather who served in the Marine Corps during WWII and her eldest son who is currently serving in the Army, Laura is passionate about Veteran advocacy. She has proudly participated in two 10-mile Ruck Marches for The Warriors Walk in 2021 and 2023.
For over 20 years, Laura has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to volunteerism. Her contributions include: Coaching T-Ball and Soccer Serving as a Girl Scout Leader for eight years acting as Room Mom and Team Mom for classrooms, sports teams, and orchestra activities for her three children. Professionally, Laura has worked as a Medical Biller for two decades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kendall College in Chicago, IL. Laura’s commitment to service, both professionally and personally, exemplifies the values of leadership, compassion, and community.
Luis Serna
TreasurerLserna@warriorswalk-il.org
Luis is a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in both accounting and law enforcement. Luis earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Governors State University (GSU) and is finishing his Master’s degree at GSU. Luis currently works as an accountant in the executive transportation industry.
In addition to his academic achievements, Luis has extensive experience in law enforcement, serving in diverse roles such as: Weapons Instructor, SWAT Officer, and Detective. Luis brings a unique combination of military discipline, advanced education, and hands-on professional experience to all that he does. His dedication to excellence is evident in every aspect of his career and community involvement.
Larry Paveza
Trustee – VFW Post 9545 RepresentativeLarry@warriorswalk-il.org
Larry is a proud Vietnam War US Navy Veteran who served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19), completing three deployments to the Tonkin Gulf from 1968 to 1971. After his service, he built a successful career in Facilities Maintenance, utilizing his Navy engineering skills and advanced HVAC training to work as an HVAC Mechanic and Maintenance Manager for a major manufacturing company with operations across the U.S. and abroad.
A dedicated member of VFW Post 9545 for 24 years, Larry has held numerous leadership roles, including Jr. Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Quartermaster (six years), and Bar Manager (three years). Currently, he oversees Advertising and Marketing for the post. As a key member of The Warriors Walk since its inception, Larry brings over 30 years of managerial experience to the organization, helping to support and advocate for Veterans’ mental health and well-being.
Scott Meder
Trustee – American Legion Post 1977 RepresentativeScott@warriorswalk-il.org
Scott is a proud US Navy Veteran. He is an active member of the New Lenox American Legion and the New Lenox Sons of the American Legion. Scott is the grandson of two grandfathers who served during World War II. During his military service, Scott served under the Marine Corps Security Forces as a Navy Master-At-Arms.
With 21 years of diverse law enforcement experience, Scott has worked in military, federal, and local capacities. He currently serves as a Detective in the Chicago area and is a member of a homicide task force, bringing his expertise to some of the most critical investigations. Scott’s dedication to service, both in the military and in law enforcement, reflects his unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting his community.
Financial Reports
Support Staff
Aniesa Salazar
Ruck March CoordinatorAniesa@warriorswalk-il.org
United States Navy
Reservist
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Military Admin Certifying Officer
Jessica Meder
Program SpecialistInfo@warriorswalk-il.org
United States Navy
Veteran
National Cemetery Administration (MPS)
Supervisor
American Legion Post #1977
Historian
New Lenox American Legion Auxiliary
Historian
Why We Do It
Back in 2017 our Founder, Ryan Brazel, was struggling with finding help to navigate the complexities of the aftermath from his deployments to the middle east. Trying to balance his work life and mental health while being a husband and father to his children, one of whom is special needs, the burden on Ryan felt too heavy to overcome. An individual reached out to Ryan and recommended the HeadStrong Project 501c(3) who partners with mental health professionals across the United States to provided quality mental health care free of any cost to a Veteran, their spouse, and dependents.
Ryan completed the program and had a renewed outlook on life. In 2019 Ryan wanted to give back to the Headstrong Project in what ever way he could. Ryan decided to do a twenty mile ruck march that year and raised money amongst his friends and family in order to donate to the HeadStrong Project. Ryan dressed up in his finest military fatigue, draped with an American Flag, and began his ruck march across New Lenox IL. After being stopped by two different police departments for being “a suspicious subject” and catching the attention of the local newspaper, Ryan was able to donate over $2,000 dollars that year.
Ryan’s VFW, the Harry E. Anderson VFW Post #9545, realized that Ryan was onto something and decided to formalize the event in 2020 which was dubbed “a walk with the warriors”. Ryan’s vision and ambitions could not be contained. He sought out a goal to create a coalition among businesses, students, the general public, and Veterans in order to combat against Veteran suicide. As more and more people began to participate in the event every year, Ryan knew that this was bigger than just one VFW.
Ryan recruited the help of others who had a deep concern or had been directly effected by Veteran Suicide. Ryan soon coined the term “Warriors Walk” as banner to unite the masses for one sole reason; to not let one more brother or sister fall to suicide. By 2023 the Warriors Walk had taken on a life of it’s own and Ryan, along with the individual’s he had recruited, were just hanging onto the coattails.
The Warriors Walk is now comprised of the Thomas E Hartung American Legion Post #1977 and Harry E Anderson VFW Post #9545 as collaborating partners. Numerous other supporting American Legions, VFWs, Not-For-Profit organizations, schools, businesses, and community members have come together in order to enable the Warriors Walk to become its own Not-For-Profit 501c(3). Ryan has stayed true to his commitment that every last dollar donated will go to the Veteran. Which ever direction the Warriors Walk heads in, there will always by one guiding principle for us that will remain true:
It is the Veteran, not the minister who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Veteran, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Veteran, not the poet who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Veteran, not the lawyer who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Veteran, not the politician who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Veteran who salutes the flag, who served beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Charles M. Province (US Army) 1970 – (modified)