Famed Navy SEAL to appear at ALWS event
Former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill will be the featured guest of honor at the National Commander’s Reception, Aug. 11, as part of the American Legion World Series.

Famed Navy SEAL to appear at ALWS event

Robert O’Neill, one of the most decorated combat veterans of our time, will be the featured guest of honor at the National Commander’s Reception, Aug. 11, at LeGrand Center in Shelby, N.C., as part of the annual American Legion World Series. The reception honors past and present American Legion Commanders as well as national officers, veterans and sponsors.

The private reception was established in 2011 by the Executive Committee of Cleveland County ALWS Baseball Inc. It features first-class entertainment and inspirational speakers while awarding local and national officials. The reception is the first formal event preceding the ALWS, which is scheduled for Aug. 13-18 at Shelby High School’s Keeter Stadium.

“We are honored that Robert O’Neill has agreed to be guest speaker at the National Commander’s Reception and we appreciate his willingness to address national officials and sponsors of the event,” Executive Committee Chairman Eddie Holbrook said.

O’Neill, a former team leader with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, held combat leadership roles in more than 400 missions. Those missions included some of the most important campaigns in U.S. military history. With a mantra of “never quit," O'Neill has shown analytical decision-making abilities in uncertain, life-threatening environments.

Rising to the rank of senior chief petty officer in the U. S. Navy, O’Neill served as a team leader. His continuous certifications include instructor, physical trainer, master training specialist, diving supervisor, special warfare sniper and survival specialist. His professional military air operation criteria include high-opening and high-altitude free-fall jumpmaster. O’Neill completed more than 1,000 jumps in his service. He also earned qualifications in tandem and bundle master, parachute rigger, master naval parachutist, drop zone safety officer, and air operations examiner/trainer. O’Neill was in command of demolition, small arms, explosives breaching, close quarters combat, fires and laser systems protection.

O’Neill has been decorated more than 52 times with honors including two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, three Presidential Unit citations, and two Navy/Marine Corps Commendations with Valor.

Today, O’Neill provides discrete, individual transition support for Special Operations heroes and their families through the public charity, Your Grateful Nation. O’Neill is a co-founder/ambassador for this nonprofit corporation that provides employment transition services, cooperative education, paid internships and family stabilization support.

No tickets will be sold for the National Commander’s Reception. Other events related to the ALWS include the 3rd Annual 7th Inning Stretch Festival Saturday, Aug. 8, in Uptown Shelby and the Celebration of Champions to honor the eight teams competing for the national title. Country singer-songwriter Kellie Pickler and special guest Walker County will perform a free concert during the festival; Thompson Square will perform during the Celebration of Champions Aug. 12 at Keeter Stadium. Tickets are $10 each.

The 15-game ALWS begins Aug. 13, and ends with the championship on Aug. 18. Games 1-12 will air on ESPN3. The Monday semifinals and the Tuesday championship will air live on ESPNU. Call the ALWS office for more information or visit www.americanlegionworldseries.com.