No Greater Sacrifice Foundation

🎓 Congratulations, Jonathan Player!

Jonathan came to the UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a childhood love of building computers — and he's leaving with a B.S. in Computer Science, a Minor in Business Administration, and a whole lot more.

During his time at UAB, Jonathan was part of a close-knit CS cohort and found community through the student-led campus ministry RANSOM. He stayed active, discovered a passion for philosophy (especially the big questions AI is raising), and earned certifications in his field that are already on his resume.

Jonathan is the third No Greater Sacrifice scholar in the Player family to graduate from UAB. His father, Army Master Sergeant Michael Player, was severely wounded by a rocket attack while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. Jonathan's success is a tribute to that sacrifice.

Here's what Jonathan shared with us:

💬 "With this scholarship I have been able to prepare and secure my chances at a remarkable future. With sincere gratitude, thank you, No Greater Sacrifice, for your continued support."

We couldn't be more proud. This is exactly why we do what we do. ❤️

👉 Read more about our scholars and how you can support military families: nogreatersacrifice.org

We're also grateful to Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund for supporting Jonathan!

Thank you to NGS Recipients Wyatt and Cody Kapacziewski and their mother, Kimberly, for courageously sharing their family’s story live on TV, honoring the legacy of Army SFC Joe Kapacziewski. 🇺🇸

They are a powerful reminder that the impact of service extends far beyond the battlefield — carried forward by the families who continue to live with that sacrifice every day.

By opening their hearts, the Kapacziewski family helps others to better understand the realities faced by military families while ensuring Joe's legacy continues to inspire.

We would also like to thank and for helping elevate stories like these and giving military families a platform to be seen and heard.

We encourage you to take a moment to watch and honor the Kapacziewski family’s story at the link in our bio.

Mia Nelson is graduating from the with a degree in Industrial Design and minors in Business Management & Entrepreneurship and Business Collaboration. She hopes to become one of the leading women in the design industry and would love to use her skills to design cleats for Nike and other performance brands.

Mia is also a standout student‑athlete, helping lead to the 2024 NAIA National Championship. Her love for soccer runs deep—her mother and three older sisters all played in college, and the sport has always been both a stress reliever and a way to stay closely connected with her family.

Mia was four years old when her father, Air Force Lt. Col. Martin Nelson, died of service‑connected cancer in June 2008. Throughout his career, he flew five different aircraft and completed missions in the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mia carries forward his legacy of service and dedication as she steps into this next chapter of her design career.

If you know someone in footwear or product design (especially or other sports brands), please consider connecting them with Mia.

NGS would like to thank our amazing partners, and , for their support in making Mia’s dreams come true.

🎓 Celebrating Audra Cruz!

Audra is graduating from with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, with an emphasis in Quantitative Methods and a minor in Spanish. While in Tucson, she gained hands-on experience through a public health internship and is now preparing to continue her education in graduate school.

Her journey reflects both dedication and purpose—and a commitment to serving others through public health.

Audra shared:
“NGS is an incredible organization and I am so proud and thankful to be a part of the NGS family!”

We are honored to support Scholars like Audra as they pursue their dreams and create meaningful impact in their communities.

💙 Thank you to who makes stories like Audra’s possible.

This Memorial Day, we remember the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country.

At NGS, we serve to keep their memories alive—not just with words, but with action. Whether it’s supporting Gold Star families or empowering the next generation through education, we honor their legacy every day.

NGS recipients Wyatt and Cody Kapacziewski, along with their mother Kimberly, are being interviewed today by host Mike Emanuel on Fox News at approximately 1:45p EST. They are the surviving family of “Joe Kap.” Join us in watching them share their story.

Army SFC Joe Kapacziewski was severely wounded during an ambush in Northern Iraq in 2005, yet remained on active duty throughout his recovery and made history as the first amputee in Army Ranger history to return to combat with a prosthetic leg. Over the course of his distinguished military career, he completed more than ten deployments to the Middle East and embodied extraordinary resilience, courage, and commitment to mission and country.

On May 24, 2011, Joe became the first enlisted Soldier to receive the No Greater Sacrifice Freedom Award, honoring individuals who exemplify selfless service to the nation. In 2014, NGS proudly awarded Future Use Scholarships to his sons, Wyatt and Cody, in recognition of their family’s tremendous sacrifice.

Following the loss of his leg, Joe continued to push beyond physical limitations, completing three triathlons and twice finishing the New York City Marathon, among many other athletic accomplishments. His dedication to the mission remained unwavering until his passing in 2023.

Today, No Greater Sacrifice continues to honor the Kapacziewski family’s sacrifice by providing ongoing support, advocacy, and case management as part of our enduring commitment to the families of our nation’s fallen and severely wounded Service members.

Now through May 31, 2026 you can support No Greater Sacrifice and other military organizations by going to your local Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q and picking up a Camo “Cup For A Cause”! We are grateful to be included on Rudy’s mission to support military organizations.

Pictured is the Burgess family who went to get their Camo Cups! With the help of NGS, their youngest daughter, Kaylee, recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Child Advocacy. Gracie, their oldest, graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Health Science with a minor in Marketing and further from the The University of Alabama with a master’s in Marketing with a Concentration in Digital and Social Media.

Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Burgess, was severely wounded in 2011 while clearing IEDs in Afghanistan — losing a leg and sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS), among other life-changing injuries.

Gracie says, “Without having the support of organizations like No Greater Sacrifice, I would not be able to accomplish all my goals and reach my dreams. I have always been very goal oriented and having the opportunity to achieve my goals and work towards more than I could ever imagine is amazing!”

It is because of the generosity of organizations like Rudy's that we at NGS are able to complete our mission and support military children and their families.

No Greater Sacrifice is grateful to have been part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation 11th Annual Convening!

Events like this allow NGS to strengthen relationships across the military and veteran support community, collaborate with organizations serving military families, and reconnect with familiar faces from the NGS family — including scholars, alumni, and parents.

Pictured here with NGS Executive Director, Rebekah Lovorn, are Kylie Briest, NGS alumna, NICU nurse, and Dole Caregiver Fellow; Sara Rotenberry, new NGS recipient, alongside her sister Anna, a current NGS Scholar; Vanessa Chism, mother of two NGS Scholars and Dole Caregiver Fellow; and Casey Fogle, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Online Community Manager.

Thank you to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for hosting such a meaningful event dedicated to supporting our nation’s military and veteran families. 🇺🇸

Army COL David Sutherland (Ret.) recently led supporters of No Greater Sacrifice on a meaningful visit through Arlington National Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day.

As we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we are reminded that their legacy lives on through the families, children, and communities they leave behind. NGS remains committed to supporting Gold Star and severely wounded veteran families through education, mentorship, and opportunity.

Join us in honoring and preserving the stories of our nation’s fallen heroes. 🇺🇸

Thank you https://buff.ly/kiOpwJ8!

Celebrating NGS Scholar Hayden Hickman!

Hayden Hickman graduated from The University of Alabama with a double major Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising. He excelled in the classroom, earning spots on the President’s List, Dean’s List, and in the University Honors College, and he is continuing his studies in UA’s accelerated STEM Path to the MBA program, which he expects to complete in May 2027.

Hayden has developed strong professional and leadership skills as an account management and engineering change intern for a local business, as a Teaching Assistant, and through multiple positions on the Sigma Pi Fraternity Executive Committee. He also served as an Ambassador in the Society of Operations Management Students and was inducted into the Order of Omega honor society.

His two younger brothers, Landon and Clayton, are also NGS‑supported students—Landon studying Sports Management, and Clayton studying Forestry Science while serving as a local firefighter and working with the county forestry department. Together with their mother, Gold Star spouse Tiffany Kennedy, and stepfather Benjamin Kennedy, they honor the legacy of their father, Army Sergeant First Class Jason Omar Bradley Hickman, who was killed in action in 2010 while serving as a Combat Engineer on patrol in Afghanistan.

Hayden, YOU ROCK! We here at NGS could not be prouder of you!!