Gala

About the Program

Held once every Congress, the With Honor Action Gala highlights emerging policy issues as well as the vital work of With Honor, the military veteran Members of the For Country Caucus, and Senate allies.

The 2025 Gala at the historic Union Station in Washington, D.C., will feature an exciting and informative evening reflecting on the significant expansion of With Honor Action’s work with our democratic allies around the world and the emphasis on the critical need for principled veteran leadership in this political moment, both at home and abroad.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

VIP Reception at 5:30 p.m. ET

Dinner 6:45 p.m. ET
Dessert Reception 9:15 p.m. ET

Black Tie Optional

Know Before You Go

Formal RSVP

If you have not formally RSVP’d with your meal selection and other important information, you may do so at this link.

Have your plans changed?

As the event is now oversubscribed, we’re working carefully to finalize seating. If your plans have changed and you’re no longer able to attend, we’d be grateful if you could let us know by emailing info@withhonor.org.

Valet

Valet parking is complimentary for all gala guests. Below is a map of how to approach Union Station for ease of arrival.

Parking

Union Station offers a 24-hour parking garage, operated by Colonial Parking, located at the rear of the station. The entrance is accessible from H Street NE. If you are approaching via North Capitol Street from the BW Parkway or New York Avenue, turn left onto H Street NE, drive halfway up the hill, and follow the signage to the garage entrance on your right. Upon entry, you will receive a parking ticket at the gate. Please remember to bring your ticket with you.

Getting to the Event from the Garage

• From the garage, take the escalator down into Union Station.
• Once inside, walk straight ahead, passing the Rental Car and Currency Exchange kiosks.
• Continue down the semi-circular marble steps into the Main Hall.
• Exit the building through the Main Hall doors and turn left to reach the event registration area.

Union Station Parking Garage
30 Massachusetts Ave, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202-898-1950
Email: businfo@uspgllc.com

Other nearby options include the Liaison Garage at 415 New Jersey Ave. NW and the H Street Parking Lot at 1207 H St. NE.

Freshman Fireteam Award

In the military, a fireteam is the smallest tactical unit, a group of just a few soldiers bound together by shared purpose, trust, and responsibility. A fireteam’s strength lies not in its size, but in its cohesion, teamwork, and commitment to the mission.

This year, the Freshman Fireteam Award will be presented to Representatives Troy Downing and Herb Conaway Jr., M.D., the Vice Chairs of the For Country Caucus. Last year, they participated in a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine led by With Honor, where they engaged directly with Ukrainian citizens and warfighters. Through these discussions, they gained firsthand insight into Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russia’s unlawful invasion and the critical importance of sustained U.S. support to ensure Ukraine’s ability to continue its defense.

Principles Before Politics Award

Each year, With Honor awards the Principles Before Politics Award to individuals who exemplify the With Honor Pledge to serve with Integrity, Civility, and Courage, especially the courage to work across the political aisle.

This year, we will present the Principles Before Politics Award to the Founding Co-Chairs of the For Country Caucus, Representatives Don Bacon and Jimmy Panetta. Since establishing the Caucus in 2019, Representatives Bacon and Panetta have consistently embodied the spirit of pragmatic, principled leadership that Congress urgently needs.

From their participation in last year’s bipartisan delegation led by With Honor to Ukraine, to their steadfast cooperation on expanding opportunities for national service, they have demonstrated a deep commitment to putting country above party. Their example serves as a reminder that durable progress is possible when leaders choose collaboration over division and principles over politics.

David R. Gergen Lifetime Leadership in Public Service Award

The David R. Gergen Lifetime Leadership in Public Service Award honors an extraordinary leader who has dedicated their career to advancing the common good through principled service. Named for David Gergen, With Honor’s co-founder, a renowned public servant, advisor to presidents of both parties, and champion of public service, the award recognizes individuals whose enduring commitment, integrity, and vision have strengthened our democracy and inspired future generations to serve.

The inaugural David R. Gergen Lifetime Leadership in Public Service Award will be presented this year to The Honorable Leon Panetta and Sylvia Panetta. David Gergen often spoke with admiration of the Panettas’ enduring, intergenerational commitment to service.

As the 23rd U.S. Secretary of Defense, the 3rd Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the 18th White House Chief of Staff, Secretary Panetta has devoted his career to strengthening our nation and serving the American people. In parallel, as Co-Chair and CEO of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, Mrs. Panetta has inspired countless young people to answer the call to service and carry forward the values of leadership and civic responsibility. Together, they represent a remarkable legacy of dedication to the public good.

Veteran Leadership for America's Future

This year’s gala will include a panel moderated by CBS’s Margaret Brennan, moderator of Face the Nation and a Marine Corps spouse, showcasing the bipartisan leadership of principled veterans in Congress. Senators Todd Young and Mark Kelly will join For Country Caucus Founding Co-Chair, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, and caucus member, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, to discuss bipartisan, common-sense policymaking in an era of political divisiveness and the critical issues shaping our nation’s future, from biotechnology and shipbuilding to defense modernization.

Our Special Guests

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