The Christian County Military Affairs Committee celebrated regional growth, honored community partners and heard from Fort Campbell leadership during its 2026 Eagle Ambassador Breakfast held Wednesday morning at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel.
The annual event serves as the committee’s largest fundraiser of the year and a gathering point for Eagle Ambassadors, elected officials, business leaders and military leadership from Fort Campbell.
Military Affairs Committee Chair Philip Eastman said the breakfast remains central to the organization’s mission.
“The Eagle Ambassador Breakfast is the Military Affairs Committee’s largest fundraiser of the year,” Eastman said. “This is where we bring all of our volunteers and community leaders and the leadership from Fort Campbell together to tell them how much we appreciate everything they do for us.”
Eastman said the funds raised help sustain the committee’s broad slate of activities throughout the year.
“All the money that we raised this morning helps support the MAC mission,” he said. “We got to 137 events that we either participated in or were involved in in some kind of way.”
In recent years, the committee has expanded beyond Christian County to include Caldwell, Trigg, Hopkins and Todd counties.
“In the last few years under Director Lane’s leadership, we’ve included Caldwell County, Trigg County, Hopkins County, and Todd County into our fold,” Eastman said. “And we are now happy to have all of them as sponsors and participating in the organization.”
Shannon Lane, director of military affairs, said a regional approach has been a priority since she stepped into the role.
“This needs to be a regional approach. And when I came in, that was the goal,” Lane said.
He announced the rollout of a new logo and branding to reflect the broader footprint, introducing Southwestern Kentucky Military Affairs.
“It’s a very proud moment for me to stand here to say that it’s officially here,” Lane said. “It’s not something that has quietly been done over the night.”
The keynote address was delivered by Brig. Gen. Travis McIntosh, deputy commanding general of operations for the 101st Airborne Division and acting senior commander at Fort Campbell.
McIntosh praised the community’s response during recent federal government shutdowns, noting efforts to support civilian employees and military families.
He cited organized food drives, advocacy at the state and federal levels, and efforts to preserve athletic programs and events for Fort Campbell students during funding disruptions.
He also highlighted the unique relationship between the installation and the surrounding region.
McIntosh emphasized Fort Campbell’s current operational posture, noting deployments along the southern border and overseas missions, while thanking the community for its continued support of soldiers and their families.
“And here’s the profound truth, every soldier assigned to Fort Campbell is only here for a season and you are here for a lifetime,” he said. “You are that steady ground beneath a force that’s constantly moving.”
Several awards were presented during the breakfast.
The Outstanding MAC Member Award, also known as the Eagle Ambassador of the Year Award, was presented to Heather Shoemake.
The Soaring Eagle Award was presented to Wicked Kolors. Owner Isaiah Pride accepted the honor on stage with his team.
“With so many big personalities and huge contributors here, I feel extremely humbled,” Pride said. “I don’t really know what to say, appreciate the opportunity to be involved.”
The MAC Service Award was presented to Fortera Credit Union.
Shannon Lane was presented the Chairman’s Award, recognizing his transformation of the organization.
“This year’s award goes to an individual that never tires, that never wavers,” Eastman said. “While always being a champion for the MAC, its mission and Fort Campbell, this individual has fundamentally changed our organization for the better and we couldn’t be any happier to have him as our director.”
Incoming MAC Chair Jennifer Marsalek closed the program by thanking sponsors and reaffirming the committee’s commitment to military families.
“As the saying goes, home is where the Army sends you,” Marsalek said. “Most military service members and their families don’t get to choose where the Army sends them, but they can choose where and how they make their forever homes.”
She encouraged continued advocacy and community engagement in support of soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell.
“Thank you again for all that you do to support the military affairs and soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell,” Marsalek said.
The Eagle Ambassador Breakfast remains the Military Affairs Committee’s primary annual fundraiser and a visible symbol of the partnership between Fort Campbell and communities across southwestern Kentucky.
