Discover the story behind our mission to heal America
through honor and education.
Founder & Visionary
Evangelo “Vann” Morris is a distinguished Navy veteran, combat veteran, and nationally recognized speaker who has dedicated his life to service and inspiring others. His journey from humble beginnings in Southern Louisiana to becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy is a testament to the American values of perseverance, faith, and dedication.
Growing up in a large family with deep roots in the sharecropping communities of Selma, Alabama, Vann learned early the importance of hard work, family, and resilience. These values guided him through his distinguished military career as a Navy submariner and later as a commissioned officer.
Today, Vann travels the country delivering his powerful “Old Glory” speech, which personifies the American flag and tells its story through the lens of sacrifice, honor, and unity. Viewed by over 20 million Americans, this theatrical performance has become a cultural phenomenon. His charismatic storytelling and deep conviction have moved audiences from veterans’ halls to high school auditoriums. Vann has visited 45 countries and made hundreds of speeches over 20 years as a combat veteran turned motivational speaker.
Vann is a devoted husband to Rita and a proud father of three sons. His commitment to family mirrors his commitment to the Foundation’s mission: honoring those who served and teaching the next generation about the values that make America strong. The Healing America Foundation is a veteran-owned organization, embodying the values of service, integrity, and dedication that define our military community.
Watch Vann Morris deliver the speech that has become the heart of our mission—a powerful 15-minute presentation that personifies the American flag and
tells its story of sacrifice, resilience, and unity.
This presentation has been viewed by over 20 million Americans—from veterans who’ve served under the flag to students learning about freedom for the first time. It’s a story of a flag that has been “soiled, burned, torn, and trampled on,” yet endures as a symbol of hope and unity. The theatrical performance embodies themes of sacrifice, honor, resilience, and healing.
The Old Glory experience reaches two vital audiences: the next generation and those who’ve served.
We believe in recognizing and celebrating the sacrifices made by our veterans, active military, and first responders. Their service protects our freedoms and deserves our deepest gratitude.
We are committed to teaching Generation Z and Generation Alpha about patriotism, sacrifice, and the true cost of freedom through colorful, creative, and theatrical presentations. Our programs reach 50,000 students yearly in schools, camps, churches, foster centers, and second chance programs—with a goal to inspire 2 million students.
We are nonpartisan and believe that patriotism transcends politics. Our mission is to bring Americans together through shared values of honor, respect, and gratitude.
Through the "Old Glory" speech and our events, we tell the story of America—a story of resilience, sacrifice, and hope. Every presentation is an opportunity to inspire and unite.
CEO / President
Executive Director
Vice President
Board of Directors Committee Chair
Board of Directors Committee Chair
Board of Directors Committee Chair
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we are committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of every donation. 100% of contributions go directly to our programs and mission.
We publish annual reports detailing our activities, financial statements, and impact metrics. These reports are available to all supporters and the public upon request.
Evangelo “Vann” Morris is a U.S. Navy retired Surface Warfare Officer and Afghanistan deployed Combat Veteran who has traveled to 45 countries and is on a mission to Heal America. His wife (Rita) and three sons are all proud U.S. Veterans. In 2001, Vann and his team seized 14 tons of pure cocaine during a Colombian drug raid – the largest drug bust in U.S. maritime history.
Vann is a former nuclear powered ballistic missile Submariner, with an MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Memphis. His last two tours of duty were at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL.
Parallel with his military career, Vann has been public speaking for 20 years to honor all those who serve our great nation and to teach our children the value of Freedom.
Vann’s full bio can be found at:
https://EvangeloMorris.com
Dean Dauphinais is a Marine Corps veteran, nonprofit executive, and nationally respected leader in community-based impact and organizational development. He brings more than two decades of experience spanning military service, nonprofit leadership, consulting, and public advocacy, with a track record of strengthening mission-driven organizations through disciplined strategy, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership.
Dean specializes in helping organizations move from vision to execution by building strong governance practices, scalable systems, and sustainable funding strategies. His work has supported nonprofits, tribal governments, veteran organizations, and public agencies in areas including strategic planning, fundraising and grant development, program design, and capacity building.
Widely recognized for his ability to stabilize organizations during periods of transition or growth, Dean is known for translating complex challenges into clear, actionable plans. He brings a practical, outcomes-focused approach that balances accountability with empathy, ensuring teams, partners, and stakeholders remain aligned around shared goals.
In addition to his executive and consulting work, Dean has served in numerous national advisory and leadership capacities related to veteran services, suicide prevention, and community wellness, providing him with a broad understanding of both grassroots realities and national policy environments.
Grounded in service and guided by integrity, Dean’s leadership style emphasizes transparency, trust-building, and long-term impact. His experience and perspective position him as a steady, strategic leader capable of guiding organizations toward sustainable growth and meaningful community outcomes.
Jodi Burns serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Special Forces Trust, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting U.S. Army Green Berets and their families. The organization provides programs that strengthen mental health, resilience, family stability, and long-term wellbeing.
With nearly three decades of lived experience as a Special Operations spouse and a proven record of nonprofit leadership, Jodi brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by military families and the communities that support them. Under her leadership, the Trust has expanded its flagship initiatives, including Beyond the Battlefield, Mettle & Moxie, and other mission-driven transition and wellness programs, while fostering a culture of compassion, accountability, and measurable impact.
Throughout her career, Jodi has built strategic partnerships across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to create opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families. She is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, her ability to unite donors and mission stakeholders around a shared purpose, and her commitment to innovation in nonprofit program delivery and fundraising.
Jodi has led national-level fundraising campaigns, high-visibility initiatives, and large-scale community programs that address immediate needs while also investing in long-term sustainability for the Special Forces community.
As a board member, she brings expertise in organizational strategy, governance, mission alignment, and relationship development. She also carries a strong belief in service-driven leadership. Guided by the values of integrity, empathy, and stewardship, Jodi approaches every opportunity with the same principle that defines her work at the Special Forces Trust: when we strengthen those who serve, we strengthen the communities and nation they protect.
I am writing to express my strong interest in serving on the Board of Directors for the Healing America Foundation. As a member of the UNITED STATES NAVY LEAGUE, and President of the U.S. NAVY LEAGE PALM SPRINGS COUNCIL (a Calif Corporation and 501()(3), and working with the youth, community, Veterans and our current active service men and women for the past 26+ years, I have come to appreciate the value of each American citizen and the qualities each have if provided the opportunities and information to actively engage in the community; I have long been inspired by your mission to foster an America grounded in the timeless principles of **honor**, **excellence**, and **strength**. Your work as a combat veteran, retired U.S. Navy officer, and passionate advocate for uniting our nation resonates deeply with me, and I am eager to contribute to advancing this vital vision.
