Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. servicemen and women and first responders who serve our country. The organization was established in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney. 

For the last 14 years, Anheuser-Busch, brands, and wholesaler partners have donated 28 million dollars to Folds of Honor, that funds more than 5,000 scholarships. Rooney was invited to the USA Rice Outlook Conference in December of 2024 as the keynote speaker of the opening session. 

Rooney considers himself a student of life, and his presentation was powerfully emotional, yet humorous and energizing at the same time. He shared stories of his career as an F-16 Fighter Pilot, where he still serves in the Air Force Reserves. In addition, he is a professional PGA golfer. 

He started by recognizing veterans in the room to stand to be recognized. Then he acknowledged the patriotism of the entire crowd.  

“In my 17-year journey with Folds of Honor, you come to realize some of the greatest patriots you will ever meet have never put on a uniform, because we are all serving in different ways,” Rooney said. “This is a room of great patriots in the rice industry, and you are doing phenomenal work to keep this country rolling.” 

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Then he proceeded with his motivational speech, explaining that his own mission is to look for ways to evolve and be a better version of himself. He quoted Mark Twain who once said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why.”  

For Rooney, that revolves around the fighter pilot acronym CAVU, or ceiling and visibility unlimited. It is the day when conditions are best for flying, and it has become his code of living. Rooney said, “CAVU became so much more than that. Every day is an opportunity to live unlimited.” 

He said he starts each day by saying “thank you” five times and said that practice is extraordinarily life changing. Choosing to meet the day with gratitude puts you in a completely different mindset compared to starting your day with a to-do list or struggles. 

“At the end of the day, CAVU is about training. Our expectations are one thing, but ultimately at the end of the day, you are going to fall to your level of training,” he said. 

In spending time as a military trainer, Rooney shared one message he presents the first day of his classes. “You never have to be more than you are, but you must be all that you are.” 

Fulfilling your mission in life at the highest level requires being the best version of yourself. For more inspiration and Rooney’s life experience you can check out his book, Fly into the Wind.

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