In this issue:

• Help Us Preserve History!

• 2025 Scholarship Award Winners

• Rough Rider’s Grit: Theodore Roosevelt’s Unyielding Spirit

• Build Unstoppable Endurance with Zone 2 Training

• Secure Your Shelter: Mastering Emergency Fortification

Club Mission Statement

The Men of Honor Social Club's mission is to gather in fellowship, support our communities, and develop the next generation of men through mentoring and scholarship.

Supporting Our Community

The Men of Honor Social Club is working to preserve our Nation’s history. We’re raffling off an Ohio Ordnance Works M240-SLR, which retails for $15,135! It is a collector’s dream, and with only 500 tickets — your odds of winning are terrific! Proceeds will restore Chardon Road Cemetery, the final resting place of American Revolutionary War veteran Edward Halstead.

The raffle runs until November 11, 2025, or when tickets sell out. Must be 18 and comply with federal and state laws; void where prohibited. Buy tickets at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-men-of-honor-foundations-chardon-road-cemetery-restoration.

Step up, win big, and help us preserve our past!

#ChardonCemetery #MenOfHonor

Developing the Next Generation

As we reflect on the success of our 5th annual Men of Honor Scholarship Awards, we are proud to highlight this year’s exceptional recipients: Austin Wittreich, Michael Eppich, and Domenic Iliano. These young men exemplify honor, strength, and integrity. Each winner has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to their communities through diverse pursuits—ranging from athletics to extensive volunteer work.

Austin, with a 3.6 GPA from Riverside High School, will study exercise physiology and play baseball at West Liberty University. Michael, boasting a 4.2 GPA from Perry High School, is aiming for a doctorate in physical therapy and pursuing his undergraduate degree at the University of Cincinnati. Domenic, with a 3.982 GPA from Riverside High School, heads to the E.W. Scripps School of Communication at Ohio University.

Congratulations to these inspiring leaders as they embark on their next chapters!

Club Core Competencies

We expect members to add value to their families, communities, and club by being proficient in three pillars: knowledge of history, physical fitness, and emergency preparedness.

History: Human nature is constant, so history repeats. By studying the past, we predict the future and learn timeless lessons. The honorable men before us—doers of deeds, men in the arena who stepped up when called—provide inspiration to lead with courage.

Fitness: A man must maintain a baseline of physical fitness to carry the load, both literally and figuratively, in times of trouble, serving himself, his family, and his community.

Preparedness: Every man should live the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared,” ensuring readiness for any calamity to protect those who depend on him.

Men of Honor in History

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” – Winston Churchill

Charging Forward: Theodore Roosevelt’s Relentless Courage

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City. He suffered from asthma as a child but improved his health through physical activities like boxing and outdoor exercise. He graduated from Harvard University in 1880 and began his political career in the New York State Assembly from 1882 to 1884. On February 14, 1884, both his wife, Alice, and mother, Martha, died, leading him to move to the Dakota Badlands, where he worked as a rancher from 1884 to 1886.

During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Roosevelt resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to form and lead the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, known as the Rough Riders. On July 1, 1898, he led a successful charge at the Battle of San Juan Hill, despite the unit suffering 200 casualties. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2001. Following President William McKinley’s assassination, Roosevelt became president on September 14, 1901, serving until March 4, 1909. As president, he enforced antitrust laws, breaking up monopolies, and signed the Pure Food Act of 1906 to regulate food safety. He also established 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, 4 national game preserves, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments, protecting approximately 230 million acres of public land.

In 1912, while campaigning for a third presidential term with the Progressive Party, Roosevelt was shot in the chest in Milwaukee on October 14 but delivered a 90-minute speech before seeking medical attention. He authored 35 books and read thousands during his lifetime. In 1906, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905). His foreign policy approach, summarized as “speak softly and carry a big stick,” emphasized diplomacy backed by military strength. He had six children, and his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., earned a Medal of Honor for his actions as a brigadier general during World War II on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919, at age 60 in Oyster Bay, New York. His descendants continued public service: Theodore Jr. served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1921–1924) and governor of Puerto Rico (1929–1932) and the Philippines (1932–1933). Great-grandson Theodore Roosevelt IV was a Navy SEAL and later an investment banker. Kermit Roosevelt Jr., a grandson, worked for the CIA, notably in Operation Ajax in 1953.

Through his leadership, courage, and commitment to public good, Roosevelt embodied the values of honor, strength, and integrity revered by our club.

Health and Wellness

“Our growing softness, our increasing lack of physical fitness, is a menace to our security.” – JFK

Build Unstoppable Endurance with Zone 2 Training

Endurance powers a man’s ability to persevere—on trails, in crises, or daily life. Zone 2 training (60–70% of max heart rate) builds stamina without burnout. Here’s how:

1. Find Your Zone: Subtract your age from 220, then take 60–70% (e.g., for a 40-year-old, 108–126 beats per minute). Use a heart rate monitor.

2. Train Consistently: Run, cycle, or row 3–5 times weekly for 45–60 minutes in Zone 2.

3. Mix It Up: Alternate activities to prevent boredom. Hiking or swimming works.

4. Track Progress: Log weekly sessions to increase duration by 10% monthly.

5. Fuel Right: Eat complex carbs (e.g., oats, sweet potatoes) pre-workout. Avoid sugar spikes.

Start slow, stay disciplined, and build a body that keeps going.

Preparation

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

Secure Your Shelter: Mastering Emergency Fortification

In disasters—hurricanes, floods, or civil unrest—a fortified shelter is your stronghold. Build one now:

1. Choose a Safe Spot: Pick a basement or interior room with no windows. FEMA’s www.ready.gov suggests concrete walls for stability.

2. Reinforce Barriers: Use plywood or metal sheets to board windows. A 2024 Disaster Resilience study shows reinforced homes reduce damage by 50%.

3. Stock Supplies: Store blankets, tarps, and duct tape for insulation and repairs. Include a battery-powered radio.

4. Secure Access: Install heavy-duty locks or barricades on doors. Test them quarterly.

5. Plan Escape Routes: Map two exits per room. Practice drills with family monthly.

Fortify your home and test your setup twice yearly. Visit www.menofhonor.club for shelter guides and checklists.

Final Words

Thank you for reading. We hope you found something of interest, and our newsletter becomes one of your go-to sources of inspiration, motivation, and tactical tips for being a man of honor, strength, and integrity. Walking this path can be lonely, but know that you are not alone. There are millions of men like you. Men who care. Men who want to leave a better world for their children and their children's children; men of honor, strength, and integrity.

If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to subscribe, please visit our website.

Welcome to the club.