Ready & Forward
A disciplined movement of service, stewardship, healing, and forward action rooted in the legacy of those who served.
As Seen on Cheddar TV.
Tanner Courtney joined Cheddar TV's Go Fund Yourself to talk about the movement, the mission, and why this moment matters for veterans and communities across America.
Go Fund YourselfA Movement Built on Service.
Ready & Forward is a veteran-led civic movement dedicated to honoring service, restoring historic landmarks, and strengthening communities rooted in the legacy of the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers and built for the next 100 years.
Connect veterans with resources, community, and purpose. Build something that lasts.
A nation where those who served have visible access to support, and historic legacy fuels forward progress.
The movement operates at the intersection of:
- Veteran mental health access
- Historic preservation
- Community healing
- Civic unity
The movement stands on a foundation of shared values.
- Service over self
- Stewardship over neglect
- Healing through belonging
- Responsibility over spectatorship
- Action over applause
The catalytic activation of the Ready & Forward movement. Legacy Fest is a veteran-led national gathering centered on service, resilience, healing, and community unity. The event brings together veterans, service members, nonprofit organizations, mental health providers, civic leaders, and the broader community in one place, creating an environment where veterans can connect directly with resources, explore wellness programming, and strengthen relationships with the communities they serve.
Legacy Fest is not simply an event. It is a gateway to care, connection, and stewardship.
- June 12, 194877 Years Honoring Women in Service
- June 13, 2026Legacy Fest: The National Activation
- June 14, 1775US Army Birthday, 251 Years of Service
- June 19, 1865Freedom and the Buffalo Soldiers Legacy
- June 23, 1941Camp Lockett Established
Two Entities. One Mission.
Ready & Forward operates through two aligned nonprofit entities, allowing the movement to work across both civic leadership and charitable impact lanes.
Advocacy, civic coordination, and movement leadership.
- Large-scale activations
- Community partnerships
- Movement leadership
Charitable programs and tax-deductible philanthropic support.
- Veteran wellness initiatives
- Historic preservation
- Education & leadership development
Bigger Than One Event.
Legacy Fest is the catalyst. The real goal is the long-term restoration of Camp Lockett, 400+ historic acres in San Diego, into a Veterans Village and national community hub that serves those who served for generations to come.
The first $1M raised through Legacy Fest unlocks grants, government funding, and institutional investment. Every dollar moves the plan forward.
The Camp Lockett Restoration Plan
Here is how the capital raised will be put to work restoring and building out the 400-acre site.
All figures are planning-level estimates. Projects will be executed in phases based on site readiness, permits, partner alignment, and available funding. Ready and Forward Foundation has been submitted for formation and will file for 501(c)(3) status upon state approval.
Tanner Courtney.
"What showed up after the crash wasn't just community. It was proof that service over self is still alive in America."
A Navy and Marine Corps veteran who survived a near-fatal spinal cord injury and turned that experience into a national movement. He leads Ready & Forward, Legacy Fest, and serves as Secretary of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Cal Diego Chapter.
From a near-fatal crash to a national movement. Watch the story behind Ready & Forward.
The Team Behind the Mission.
Veterans, active duty service members, and community leaders bound by a single mission. Stewardship is a team sport. All in service of something greater.
We partner with veteran service organizations, nonprofits, civic institutions, and private sector leaders who believe in the power of service and stewardship. Your organization's name belongs here.
Become a Founding Steward.
America's Moment to Serve Those Who Serve.
Advancing a new American model of service, uniting communities through large-scale national activations that mobilize resources and ensure those who stood ready are never left behind.
A 400-acre California State Historic Landmark and the last home of the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers entrusted to San Diego to steward on behalf of the nation.
A first-of-its-kind national gathering that restores historic ground, honors Indigenous stewardship and Buffalo Soldier legacy, elevates veterans and first responders, and unites communities through music, storytelling, and civic engagement, launching a century-long revitalization effort.
Move Forward With Us.
Two ways to be part of this. Pick yours.