Sky Ball is the Nation’s Premier Military Support Gala

Here is the note from our Executive Director, Melissa Dabi.

Sky Ball XXIII is officially in the books, and what an unforgettable night it was – honoring our military of the past, present, and future.

This incredible event would not be possible without the leadership and dedication of Wanda Cox, Chair of Sky Ball and the Airpower Foundation. Wanda, thank you for your passion and unwavering commitment to our military community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this night possible:
– Mark Lee and your extraordinary production team – your work was flawless.
– Patty Herdlicka and our amazing volunteers – your coordination and heart were unmatched.
– Carl Glusick and the operations team – you are simply the best in the business.

The AirPower Foundation would not exist without this group of passionate people who deeply believe in our mission. Your long days and night made all the difference.

To Chef Robert Irvine, thank you for your continued support. It is an honor to partner with you and your team!

To Doug Dunbar and the team at CBS 11, we are so grateful for your dedication to sharing the stories of our heroes. Your work brings vital awareness to the importance of honoring those who serve.

To Phil and Lisa Taylor, your tribute to Nathan Gage Ingram was profoundly moving. To the Ingram family, thank you for sharing Gage’s story and legacy with us. He is a true hero.

A special thank you to cityCURRENT for your outstanding work and partnership, and to Neal McCoy for an unforgettable performance that had us all dancing the night away!

A heartfelt thank you to our dear friend Austin Allsup for believing in our shared mission so much that he was able to raise $100,000 to support our heroes. This partnership means everything to us and we are so grateful for your heart and trust to chase these dreams together.

To Caliber Collision and National Auto Body Council and GEICO, thank you for trusting us as partners in your Recycled Rides program. Y’all changed the lives of three service members forever, and we are so grateful.

Thank you to our favorite Marine Don Graves for closing our night with your incomparable voice and to Mary Staffeld for keeping him safe and us on his very busy schedule!

To my amazing Airpower Foundation team:
– Kameron McNutt, your creativity and artistry set the tone for the evening.
– Piera Pickett, your behind the scenes efforts kept everything running seamlessly.
– McKynlea Lay, your energy and social media work brought the night to life for everyone to see.

It was truly a night surrounded by incredible people, all united by a shared mission – to honor and serve those who serve us.

As we close out 2025, we have two amazing events on November 8th:
– The Ride To Remember Poker run with the Dallas Chapter of the Marine Leathernecks
– Rally Point Music Festival at the Magnolia Lounge with Sean Russell! We hope to see you at either event!

Looking ahead to 2026, please mark your calendars for:
– The Walk 2026 Launch Party- May 31st, 2026
– The Patriot: The Untold Stories – July 30th, 2026

To everyone who supports our mission- sponsors, partners, and friends – thank you! Your generosity ensures that we can continue to provide emergency support, keep the NAS JRB Food Pantry stocked, and answer the call whenever there is a need.

As Executive Director of the Airpower Foundation, I am truly humbled to serve and lead such an incredible organization. Thank you for fighting in the trenches with us and for standing with our heroes – the men and women who sacrifice so much in service to our country.

Together, we honor. Together, we remember. Together, we serve.

Signed-
Melissa Dabi
Executive Director of the Airpower Foundation