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Atlanta Speaker Series: Ryan Hendrickson

March 3 @ 11:00 am 9:30 pm

After surviving stepping on an IED that nearly claimed his life, one Green Beret embarked on an extraordinary journey—from the battlefields of Afghanistan to humanitarian work in Ukraine, his story is one of courage, resilience, and finding profound purpose in serving others, transforming personal tragedy into a mission of hope and healing for those in need.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ryan Hendrickson is a brave, determined, and courageous soldier — a Green Beret clearing the way for his twelve-man team while conducting combat operations against the Taliban. As the “tip of the spear,” his role is to ensure the route taken by U.S. and Afghan troops are free of IEDs — improvised explosive devices. Many soldiers do not survive their last step; those who do often lose at least one limb.

While rescuing an Afghan soldier outside a mud-hut compound in 2010 — knowing that he was in “uncleared” territory — Ryan stepped on an IED with his right foot. The device exploded, leaving his foot dangling at the end of his leg.

Agenda for the Day:
Lunch at Buckhead Club 11:30am-1:30pm
Dinner at Atlanta History Center 5pm-7pm
Author Talk at Atlanta History Center 7:30pm-9:30pm

Tickets

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Executive Dinner at Atlanta History Center
You will receive a signed copy of his Ryan’s book, access to the private book signing and access to his Author talk. All proceeds go to support ATLVets, a 501c3 supporting veterans seeking professional development
$ 100.00
58 available
Private Lunch at Buckhead Club
Books will be available to purchase after the lunch.
$ 35.00
73 available
Author Talk at Atlanta History Center
This is for attendance to the main portion of the evening, start at 7:30pm
$ 10.00
120 available

Here’s a bit more about Ryan: Ryan Hendrickson, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and decorated combat veteran, is the founder of the nonprofit Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal and author of the acclaimed memoir Tip of the Spear. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Ryan was shaped by his father’s life lessons, which instilled resilience and a drive to take chances.

During his 22-year military career, Ryan deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and various regions in Central and South America. He earned numerous distinctions, including the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and an Army Commendation Medal with Valor. In 2010, while serving in Afghanistan, Ryan stepped on an IED, sustaining life-threatening injuries that led to 27 surgeries. Despite the grueling recovery, he returned to Afghanistan four more times as a Green Beret and twice as a contractor, exemplifying his ethos of service and perseverance.

Ryan’s combat experiences—clearing routes, preventing casualties, and rescuing comrades under fire—shaped his commitment to helping others. Following his retirement in 2020, he channeled this commitment into his nonprofit, dedicating himself to demining war-torn areas. In 2022, Ryan began clearing landmines in Ukraine, working alongside American and Ukrainian veterans to restore safety to agricultural fields and empower local communities.

$10.00 – $100.00
130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30305 United States
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