The Folsom Athletic Association honors

U.S. Army (retired) Artillery Forward Observer Danny O’Neel

Danny O’Neel was born and raised in Northern California. He graduated from Grant High School in Sacramento in 2000. Signing up for the Army on 9/11 as an artillery Forward Observer at 19, drastically changed the course of his life. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, he quickly became a squad leader in 17 months. Earning Sergeant stripes and the responsibility to lead men in battle was one of the greatest honors of his life.

Danny thought he would be headed to Afghanistan, but the Army had other ideas, instead sending him to Iraq (twice). Though the first tour was mostly uneventful, the second trip to Sadr City was deadly. Nine of Danny’s brothers lost their lives that year. Sadly, 15 members of his unit took their own lives in the aftermath, including his company commander.

Danny is now an entrepreneur, owning Kinetic Ink and Kinetic Threads. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Board for Warfighter Overwatch, helping his fellow veterans come home from the battlefield and a motivational speaker for the foundation.

Warfighter Overwatch gives Danny purpose and a place for the trauma that he and his brothers endured. He recently took a group of 15 to Half Dome in Yosemite. He gets to remind them that they are Warriors and they don’t have to struggle alone. Mental health is their focus. They’ve spent over $100,000 sending local vets and first responders to therapy. They have programs meant to be proactive, like the hikes and fishing trips, and programs designed to provide support and pick up where their insurance drops off.