MAC Eagle Ambassador Breakfast Celebrates Regional Growth, Honors Community Support

The annual event serves as the committee's largest fundraiser and a gathering point for Eagle Ambassadors, elected officials, business leaders and military leadership.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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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 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.

Why it matters

The Eagle Ambassador Breakfast is a key event for the Military Affairs Committee, which has expanded its regional reach in recent years to include Caldwell, Trigg, Hopkins, and Todd counties. The event highlights the strong partnership between the local community and Fort Campbell, with the funds raised helping to sustain the committee's broad slate of activities throughout the year.

The details

The breakfast featured a keynote address from 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. Several awards were also presented, including the Outstanding MAC Member Award, the Soaring Eagle Award, the MAC Service Award, and the Chairman's Award.

  • The 2026 Eagle Ambassador Breakfast was held on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Philip Eastman

The chair of the Christian County Military Affairs Committee.

Shannon Lane

The director of military affairs for the Christian County Military Affairs Committee, who has led the organization's regional expansion.

Brig. Gen. Travis McIntosh

The deputy commanding general of operations for the 101st Airborne Division and acting senior commander at Fort Campbell, who delivered the keynote address.

Heather Shoemake

The recipient of the Outstanding MAC Member Award, also known as the Eagle Ambassador of the Year Award.

Isaiah Pride

The owner of Wicked Kolors, who accepted the Soaring Eagle Award on behalf of his team.

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What they’re saying

“The Eagle Ambassador Breakfast is the Military Affairs Committee's largest fundraiser of the year. 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.”

— Philip Eastman, Military Affairs Committee Chair (wkdzradio.com)

“This needs to be a regional approach. And when I came in, that was the goal.”

— Shannon Lane, Director of military affairs (wkdzradio.com)

“With so many big personalities and huge contributors here, I feel extremely humbled. I don't really know what to say, appreciate the opportunity to be involved.”

— Isaiah Pride, Owner, Wicked Kolors (wkdzradio.com)

“As the saying goes, home is where the Army sends you. 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.”

— Jennifer Marsalek, Incoming MAC Chair (wkdzradio.com)

What’s next

The Military Affairs Committee will continue to work on expanding its regional reach and supporting the military community at Fort Campbell throughout the year.

The takeaway

The Eagle Ambassador Breakfast highlights the strong partnership between the local community and Fort Campbell, with the funds raised helping to sustain the committee's broad slate of activities that support soldiers and their families.