Second-Year Tip Of The Spear Poker Run Opens Sponsor Registration

As a general rule, members of the United States Navy SEAL branch don’t seek attention. They are professionals with vital jobs to do. They know exactly who and what they are. They’re not looking for public affirmation.

Brian Forehand and his son, Brian, Jr., were among the participants in the inaugural Tip of the Spear Poker Run last year. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

But they deserve it, as well as support during and after their professional lives of service and self-sacrifice. That is why Virginia’s Mark Tuck started the Tip Of The Spear Poker Run last year in Norfolk, Va. Sponsor registration for the event, which benefits the Navy SEAL Foundation and is set for June 27-28, opens today.

“Last year was our first shot at this event and we were thrilled with the results,” Tuck said. “Our intention was to curate a high-end experience for the participants, to match the caliber of our charity organization and the Navy SEAL members who benefit from it. We entered the event thinking if we could make a $25,000 donation and have a fun, safe event for our participants, it would be a success.

“When we ultimately raised $70,000, we were blown away,” he added.

General registration opens February 21, Tuck said.

Tuck listed raising six figures worth of funds for the organization and improving the experience for participants, which drew raves last year, as his primary goals for the second-year event. A portion of the poker run proceeds also will go to the Special Forces division on the United States Coast Guard.

“Ultimately, this is a very patriotic event that is completely nonprofit,” Tuck explained. “Every bit of the organizing team’s time and volunteers’ time goes toward the charity. Every dime of proceeds goes to our charity organization. There is zero fluff.

“We look forward to continuing to help these brave individuals who risk everything and sacrifice so much in order to protect us,” he continued.