Guest writer Donna A. Michaels is a U.S. Navy veteran, retired law enforcement officer, and founder of the Heroes United to Heal Foundation, committed to helping veterans and first responders heal from invisible wounds.
An upcoming interview between American Sheriff Mark Lamb and Bo McCormick of Clinger Holsters is more than a discussion about corporate sponsorship, it is a candid conversation about responsibility, leadership, and the urgent need to support those who serve.
Their discussion centers on why both men chose to stand behind Heroes United to Heal (HU2H) and its upcoming charity event, Unite for Heroes; a Gala of Hope and Healing, an event dedicated to addressing the growing crisis of veteran and first responder suicide.
For Bo McCormick and Clinger Holsters, the decision to sponsor HU2H was deeply personal and values-driven. Clinger Holsters has long aligned itself with the law enforcement and military communities, understanding that the people who protect others often carry unseen burdens.
Sponsoring HU2H is not about brand visibility, it’s about investing in solutions. McCormick recognizes that too many companies say they “support the troops” or “back the blue” without taking meaningful action. Supporting HU2H allows Clinger Holsters to directly contribute to programs that save lives by addressing trauma, isolation, and the invisible wounds that come with service.
Sheriff Mark Lamb’s involvement goes even deeper. In the interview, Lamb is expected to discuss why he didn’t hesitate to agree to serve as a keynote speaker for the gala. After decades in law enforcement, Lamb has seen firsthand how cumulative trauma affects deputies, officers, and first responders long after the shift ends.
He has watched strong men and women struggle in silence, often believing leadership doesn’t see them, or worse, doesn’t care. HU2H’s mission resonated with him because it does what too many systems fail to do: it meets heroes where they are and surrounds them with people who understand the job.
Sheriff Lamb’s support for HU2H is rooted in the organization’s peer-support retreat model, which focuses on connection, education, and shared experience.
These retreats are facilitated by fellow veterans and first responders, not outsiders, who understand the culture, the stress, and the weight of service. Lamb has consistently emphasized that real leadership doesn’t end at retirement or promotion; it includes advocating for the well-being of those still carrying the load. By lending his voice to HU2H, he is reinforcing a message law enforcement and military communities need to hear: asking for help is not weakness, and leadership has a duty to make that help accessible.
At its core, this interview highlights something larger than one event. It reflects a growing movement of leaders and organizations refusing to stay silent while suicide continues to claim the lives of veterans and first responders. HU2H’s mission to end veteran and first responder suicide isn’t built on slogans, it’s built on action, evidence-based programs, and a belief that no hero should feel alone.
When respected figures like Sheriff Mark Lamb and companies like Clinger Holsters step forward, it sends a powerful message: supporting those who serve doesn’t stop with words of appreciation, it requires commitment, resources, and leadership. The upcoming interview will shine a light on that truth, reminding us all that hope and healing are possible when leaders choose to act.
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