Doug Smith was amazed by the support he received with his inaugural “Warrior Gala” Navy SEAL meet and greet event last year, but he really shouldn’t have been surprised.
He said that after moving to Vail following a long career in homeland security in Washington, D.C., he noticed right away that Eagle County was a community that exhibited extraordinary support for military and veterans.
“The moment you walk toward the Covered Bridge, and you see the silhouette of the 10th Mountain Soldier, it immediately just grabs you,” he said.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Smith was on his way in to his office at the Pentagon when the building was attacked. His boss was killed.
Now, “to go to Freedom Park in Edwards and see that piece of stone from the Pentagon, it’s incredibly poignant and moving to me on a personal level,” he said. “There’s little images everywhere in the valley that just make you appreciate history.”
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Smith spent much of his career working with special operators including Navy SEALs, Green Berets and the current 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York. He said since the Department of Homeland Security was created in 2003, “the tempo that these guys have had to operate on is just insane,” he said. “I witnessed first-hand their valor and their commitment to the country, but also the unbelievable toll that is put upon their families.”
In considering where he wanted to contribute some of his volunteer time, Smith said he chose to focus on raising money for the Navy SEAL Foundation because he’s impressed with the organization’s ability to contribute so much of what it receives back to Navy SEAL families. Smith and Vail resident Brian Cooley created the Vail Warrior Alliance and Warrior Gala in 2023 in an effort to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
“It is one of only a few charities that have received a 100 percent score on CharityNavigator.org,” Smith said of the Navy SEAL Foundation. “Around 98 or 99 cents of every dollar they receive goes into the pockets of everyone they serve, which is unheard of.”
Smith said the Vail Warrior Alliance’s Navy SEAL meet and greet event on April 2-3 is meant to complement already existing events in Eagle County that contribute to veterans.
“It’s meant to enhance, and to really put a fine point on how the Vail Valley stands firmly behind our veterans,” Smith said.
For the public, the Warrior Gala is a chance to meet and mingle with former Navy SEALs. Last year, 14 retired Navy SEALs took part in the Warrior Gala. Smith said this year he’s expecting the same if not more. Tickets are $200 to cover essential costs, but Vail Warrior Alliance also encourages attendees to consider a tax-deductible donation to the Navy SEAL Foundation upon registering. Last year, the Warrior Gala raised $24,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
“The Navy SEAL Foundation is deeply grateful for the support of the Vail Warrior Alliance and the Vail community,” the Foundation said in a statement. “Their commitment to honoring the service and sacrifices of the Navy SEAL community through events like the Vail Warrior Gala makes a meaningful impact on our ability to provide vital programs for SEALs, SWCCs, veterans, and their families. It is through partnerships like this that we can continue our mission of ensuring these warriors and their loved ones receive the care, resources, and support they so rightly deserve.”
The event includes an opening night of meeting up at Vendetta’s and 10th Mountain Division Whiskey & Spirit Company on April 2, followed by a ski day for locals and visiting Navy SEALs on April 3.
Smith said last year, the SEALs enjoyed seeing how long they could keep up with the locals on the mountain.
“Last year, all but two were ringing the bell by lunch time, he said.
The 2025 Warrior Gala will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Manor Vail on April 3 . Last year, a four-person panel of SEALs spoke, and a live auction saw a few unique prizes. Smith said this year they will try to duplicate and improve on what was a successful first event.
“Last year we had a guy who had been on SEAL Team 6, he’s also a professional instructor, and that group won an experience with him where he took them out to this private range where he taught them how to shoot out to a mile,” Smith said. “That ended up going for a lot.”
2025 Warrior Gala tickets are available at bit.ly/warriorgala.
