He jokingly suggested pushing Manion down the stairs so he didn’t have to be deployed.”

Dave Borek

NEDERLAND -- On Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Carousel of Happiness hosted a private gathering for veterans and their family members. As part of the Travis Manion Foundation’s Spartan Leadership Program, leaders visited the carousel and honored those they lost in the forces.

On April 29, 2007, 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion, USMC, his Marine squadron, and Iraqi Army counterparts were ambushed on patrol in Fallujah. Drawing fire away from his squadron, Manion was killed by a sniper, saving the lives of every patrol member. His actions earned him a posthumous Silver Star and Bronze Star of Valor.

One of Manion’s stories has resonated throughout the non-profit organization dedicated in his name. Leaving a football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his brother-in-law, Dave Borek, jokingly suggested pushing Manion down the stairs so he didn’t have to be deployed.

Manion affirmed that he was ready for deployment, emphasizing that if he didn’t go, another less experienced force member would have to replace him. His response has become the motto and primary ethos of the foundation: “If Not Me, Then Who…”

Carousel creator and founder Edward Scott Harrison, a Vietnam veteran, greatly respects the foundation and its mission, with Spartan Leaders now visiting the carousel yearly. The carousel briefly closes to the public during the gathering, meant solely for the leaders to honor their fallen.

First, after preliminary drinks and socializing, the leaders walked inside, gathering around the barrier to watch families riding the 57 animals carved by Harrison himself. Coincidentally, the carousel’s Wurlitzer played the WWII blues song “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” as the veterans entered.

Once members of the public had left, Harrison shared the story of the image that gave him comfort in the trenches of Vietnam – a carousel isolated in a joyful and peaceful mountain haven – that eventually turned into the building surrounding them.

Harrison also remembered Paul Edward Christmas and Christian Langenfeld, who lost their lives in combat on January 27, 1968, just before the surprise campaign now known as the Tet Offensive. Harrison was also seriously wounded, leaving Vietnam soon after.

After Harrison shared his story, the leaders, along with the carousel’s outreach director, Allie Wagner, shared the names and memories of their fallen loved ones serving in the military. Harrison’s sentiment resonated with the group: saying the names of the dead allows them to live on.

Harrison gave the leaders as much time as they needed to feel their grief while telling their story. Leaders let themselves get their emotions out, finding support from the rest of the group as they cried, gave themselves a moment, and told their stories.

The group shared a palpable empathy, as everyone in the room knew exactly what pain the others experienced, even without knowing the honored fallen. The ethos of their group shone through in many of their stories, as the honored fallen often felt a sense of duty to protect those they served with.

After sharing stories, Harrison started the carousel for a “silent ride,” a single slow rotation for the honored fallen. The group admired the detail of Harrison’s carvings, each animal carrying special significance for communities and cultures.

Once the silent ride ended, the group finished the gathering with an actual free ride, the Wurlitzer playing the Count Basie Orchestra’s song “Jumpin’ at the Woodside.” The group then congregated in the carousel’s gift shop for more drinks and socializing.

Every person in the room shared a connection as they honored those they lost, allowing themselves to grieve while inserting humorous and inspirational memories in their stories. Harrison aims to continue these yearly gatherings as appreciation for the Travis Manion Foundation and its mission.

In her time as outreach director, Wagner has observed countless riders allowing themselves to be vulnerable with their thoughts and emotions. Often, visitors have experienced feelings and remembered events they hadn’t thought about in years.

Asking a social worker about this phenomenon, Wagner discovered that the passion and heart poured into the carousel is so palpable that people’s bodies automatically recognize the environment as safe.

Harrison’s dream started from a comforting image and developed over 26 years of carving and assembling. Now, his dream is a non-profit organization celebrating its fifteenth anniversary, having impacted over one million riders in that time.

Harrison and the carousel’s staff have always emphasized that carousels, this one especially so, are more than just attractions for children. This Spartan Leadership group experienced that firsthand, finding solidarity and comfort in Harrison’s dream-come-true.