Veteran’s Day: Green Beret Scott Mann, Badger Six & Ongoing Efforts to Save

This Veteran’s Day, join us for a powerful conversation with retired Green Beret Scott Mann and representatives of Badger Six, an organization dedicated to rescuing Afghan allies left behind after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Scott Mann, a decorated Green Beret officer, will share stories from his time in Afghanistan and his ongoing work to save Afghans who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. forces. Joining him will be members of Team Badger Six, named in honor of CIA officer Mike Spann—“Badger Six”—the first American killed in action in the War on Terror. Badger Six is comprised of CIA veterans, Special Forces operators, and advocates who have made it their mission to protect Afghan partners who risked everything to support American efforts after 9/11.

Panelists will include:

• Shannon Spann DeBruyn, lawyer, former CIA officer, and widow of Mike Spann.
• David Tyson, retired CIA operations officer, linguist, and recipient of the CIA’s Distinguished Intelligence Cross.
• Andrew Hartsog, retired Senior CIA Paramilitary Officer, Green Beret, and founding board member of Badger Six.
• Toby Harnden, award-winning author of First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11.

Together, they will recount the early days of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, the sacrifices of their Afghan allies, and the ongoing humanitarian fight to evacuate and resettle those left behind under Taliban rule.

This special Veteran’s Day event is both a tribute to the courage of America’s service members and intelligence officers, and a call to action to continue standing by the Afghan partners who stood by us.

Scott is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with over 20 years of service, including multiple combat tours in Afghanistan. He is the founder of Rooftop Leadership and Task Force Pineapple, leading efforts to rescue Afghan allies and support veterans through storytelling and community building

A lawyer and former CIA intelligence officer, Shannon served over a decade in counterterrorism operations. She is the widow of Mike Spann, the first American killed in action in Afghanistan, and continues to honor his legacy through advocacy and security consulting.

David is a retired CIA operations officer and linguist who was part of Team Alpha, the first U.S. team behind enemy lines in Afghanistan after 9/11. He received the CIA’s Distinguished Intelligence Cross for valor and is fluent in multiple Central Asian languages.

Andrew is a retired Senior CIA Paramilitary Officer and U.S. Army Green Beret. A veteran of Team Alpha, he held leadership roles across global conflict zones and now serves as Executive Vice President at Constellis, while supporting Afghan allies through Badger Six.

Toby is an award-winning author and former foreign correspondent who reported from more than 30 countries, specializing in terrorism and war. His book First Casualty tells the untold story of Team Alpha’s mission after 9/11.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, United States

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