Honoring the Fallen: Eric Torres and the Memorial Valor Foundation

In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Terry Vaughan and Kristen Wilson welcome Eric Torres, a retired Green Beret and co-founder of the Memorial Valor Foundation. Eric has dedicated his post-military life to supporting Gold Star families, creating experiences that honor fallen service members, and building a strong, engaged community around remembrance.

About Eric Torres:

• Retired Green Beret with decades of Special Forces experience

• Co-founder of the Memorial Valor Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Gold Star families

• Expert in leadership, logistics, and building mission-driven teams

• Advocate for remembrance, community engagement, and creating meaningful experiences for families

Key Insights from the Episode:

• The foundation grew from a small charity three-gun match into a nationwide mission-driven organization

• Leadership lessons from Special Forces applied to nonprofit work: planning, structure, and collaboration

• Competition shooting teaches attention to detail, focus, and discipline

• Memorial Valor hosts multi-stage shooting events, unique experiences, and community fundraisers beyond firearms

• Every activity centers on honoring and humanizing the fallen, while connecting families with meaningful support

Why You Should Watch:

This conversation goes beyond firearms—it’s about service, sacrifice, and community. Watch the full episode to learn how Eric applies his military experience to nonprofit leadership, builds culture, and inspires volunteers. Learn more about Eric and the Memorial Valor Foundation, get involved, support Gold Star families, and honor the fallen.