SOWF, Inc. - Join Forces - Texas Style fundraising dinner - historic guitar package donation by Guitar of Freedom, Inc.

SOWF will be hosting our sixth annual Join Forces: Texas Style major and festive fundraising dinner, scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 3rd at the Omni Hotel Dallas.

Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides educational funding and advocacy to the children of fallen or widowed Special Operations Personnel and all Medal of Honor Recipients to honor their service and sacrifice. Additionally, SOWF offers immediate financial assistance to severely wounded, ill, and injured active-duty Special Operations Personnel, ensuring they receive critical support during their time of need.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GUITAR OF FREEDOM, INC. DONATES VERY SPECIAL GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP LES PAUL GUITAR FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION AUCTION

TAMPA, FL – September 10, 2026 – Guitar of Freedom, Inc. a Florida based charity, dedicated to honoring America’s greatest heroes through music, announces a historic collaboration with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), of Tampa, Florida, culminating in the donation of an extraordinarily special electric guitar, for auction.

The centerpiece donation during the annual SOWF “Join Forces: Texas Style”, scheduled for October 3rd, at the Omni Dallas Hotel in Dallas TX, will be a highly coveted one-of-a-kind Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul ‘59 reissue “Southern Fade” electric guitar, carefully curated, customized and handcrafted with special adornments, for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). Guitar of Freedom, Inc. curated this historically significant instrument, which was co-signed on March 10, 2026, at the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville Tennessee, by Opry members Craig Morgan, Lainey Wilson and the newest Opry member, Jason B. DeFord. Signatures were personally gathered and photographed by Mr. Jerry Heins, Craig Morgan’s road manager, during the Opry event.

Honoring US Army MSGT. GARY IVAN “Gordy” GORDON – Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.
This extraordinarily special guitar is donated as an auction centerpiece, for SOWF, in support of their WORLD CLASS MISSION, in honor of the brilliant, courageous, and often previously unacknowledged Veterans and Special Operators, who have sacrificed their lives for our Freedom, including M.O.H. Recipient, MSGT. Gary IVAN “Gordy” Gordon.

This extraordinarily special guitar was crafted in honor of Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon, United States Army, who distinguished himself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as Sniper Team Leader, US Army Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. MSGT. Gordon's sniper team provided precision fire from the lead helicopter during an assault and at two helicopter crash sites, while subjected to intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades. MSGT. Gordon fought until he was fatally wounded, while saving multiple pilot and crew lives. MSGT. Gordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest standards of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Proceeds from the auction of this magnificent instrument will be given directly to SOWF, which is dedicated to providing comprehensive educational funding and advocacy to the children of fallen or widowed Special Operations Personnel and Medal of Honor Recipients to honor their service and sacrifice.

"This donation is more than just a guitar and an amplifier; it's a heartfelt commemoration to honor America’s Greatest Heroes," stated retired Florida Deputy Sheriff, Alexander Ellis, VP – Marketing of Guitar of Freedom, Inc. "Our American Warriors singlehandedly enable world peace and freedom. To pair a piece of music history like this Les Paul, with an organization which pays for the education of S.F. children and prioritizes financial support for wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Personnel, is a distinct honor. We urge collectors, guitar enthusiasts, and patriots everywhere to join us in supporting this Mission, through direct donations and this upcoming auction."

“We are deeply grateful to Guitar of Freedom for creating this extraordinary tribute to Master Sergeant Gary Ivan ‘Gordy’ Gordon and for choosing to support our mission,” said Rear Admiral (Ret.) Jamie Sands, President and CEO of Special Operations Warrior Foundation. “MSGT Gordon’s courage, selflessness, and devotion to his fellow Warriors embody the very highest ideals of the Special Operations community. This remarkable guitar will help us continue a promise made more than four decades ago. We are honored to share MSGT Gordon’s legacy at Join Forces: Texas Style and ensure that his service and sacrifice continue to inspire—and create opportunity for—the next generation.” - Rear Admiral (Retired) Milton ‘Jamie’ Sands III, President & CEO of SOWF

Event and Bidding Information
The highly coveted one-of-a-kind Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul ‘59 reissue “Southern Fade” electric guitar, carefully curated, customized, and handcrafted with special adornments, for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). This historically significant instrument, was co-signed on March 10, 2026, at the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville Tennessee, by Opry members Craig Morgan (Greer), Lainey (Denay) Wilson and the newest Opry member, Jason B. DeFord. Signatures were personally witnessed and photographed by Mr. Jerry Heins, Craig Morgan’s road manager, during the event. The public is invited to attend SOWF’s annual Join Forces: Texas Style fundraising dinner in Dallas, TX on Saturday, October 3rd, where this package will be auctioned live. Event details can be found at https://specialops.org/join-forces-texas-style-2026/

About Guitar of Freedom, Inc.
Guitar of Freedom, Inc. is a disabled veteran owned non-profit organization dedicated to curating and customizing unique, art-grade guitars as tributes to America’s military and first responders, leveraging the power of music and craftsmanship to raise funds for military and veteran charities.

About SOWF
Special Operations Warrior Foundation was founded in 1980 after the daring attempt to rescue 52 American hostages in Iran during Operation Eagle Claw, which ended in the tragic loss of eight servicemen who left behind 17 American children. A battlefield promise to take care of those 17 children has become the noble mission of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to educate over 1,200 children. In addition to our commitment to the children, we also prioritize immediate financial support for wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Personnel. We recognize the sacrifices they have made for our nation, and we strive to alleviate their financial burden during challenging times. SOWF is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial support for our military men and women and veterans through a variety of fundraising activities.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: John Howard, CFO john@gofinc.org
904-237-7980

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