On the Fourth of July, while many Americans are spending time with family, attending parades, or watching fireworks, Hire Heroes USA board member Carl Meyer will be celebrating a little differently.
This month marks 19 years since Meyer began his Independence Day tradition of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day at Chenequa Country Club in Hartland, Wisconsin. What started in 2007 as a personal challenge has grown into an annual effort that has raised more than $2 million in support of Hire Heroes USA.
The event, now known as 100 Holes for Our Heroes, has become one of the organization's longest-running grassroots fundraising efforts. As the event approaches its 19th year, Meyer reflects on the mission, the people impacted, and what continues to motivate him to return to the golf course every Independence Day.
How a Personal Challenge Became a Mission
The idea began two decades ago on a Fourth of July morning. Meyer started the day playing a typical round of golf before returning to the course later that afternoon. By the end of the day, he had completed 72 holes, stopping only because he had dinner plans.
While watching fireworks that evening, he began thinking about how he could turn that endurance challenge into something meaningful.
“I said, ‘I'll do 100 holes for a veterans charity,’” Meyer recalls.
As he began researching organizations that supported veterans, Meyer discovered there were tens of thousands of veteran-focused charities across the country. Rather than spread his support thin, he wanted to find a way to make a purposeful and measurable impact.
Around that same period, MedAssets held its annual meeting in Las Vegas, announcing the creation of Hire Heroes USA. Meyer approached John Bardis, a longtime friend and Hire Heroes USA’s founder, with his idea. Bardis gave Meyer the green light to make it happen, providing the back office support while Meyer focused on organizational awareness.
Watching the Impact Grow
In its first year, Meyer raised approximately $13,000. At the time, Hire Heroes USA had helped its first 37 veterans find civilian employment.
He kept going. Each year, awareness grew and donations multiplied. The event gained local media attention and attracted supporters who believed in the mission.
Nineteen years later, the impact is measured not only in the dollars raised but in the lives changed. Since 100 Holes for Our Heroes began, the event has raised over $2.1 million in support of Hire Heroes USA’s mission. That support contributes to an organization-wide impact that has helped more than 120,000 veterans and military spouses access free career coaching, résumé assistance, interview preparation, and job search support. Donations help clients find meaningful careers, earn higher salaries, and create greater stability for their families.
Meyer also points to data collected from veterans who used Hire Heroes USA's services. Many reported earning significantly higher salaries than they originally expected during their transition.
“The mission is well grounded,” Meyer says. “The operation is unique compared to many other charities because you can quantify the impact.”
Those outcomes reinforce what first drew Meyer to the organization nearly two decades ago: the ability to see a direct connection between support provided and lives improved.
Lessons From Veterans and Service Members
Over the years, Meyer has spent time with countless veterans and military families, some of whom have joined him during portions of the event. Those conversations have left a lasting impression.
One veteran who accompanied him during the fundraiser was a retired Marine Corps sniper. Meyer remembers asking him about the most difficult conditions he experienced during service. The veteran described spending hours in extreme heat, lying motionless while carrying out missions in temperatures reaching 135 degrees.
For Meyer, the conversation provided perspective on human resilience.
Other experiences have offered a glimpse into the discipline and responsibility military members carry every day.
During a visit aboard the USS Nimitz, Meyer observed sailors entrusted with enormous responsibilities at remarkably young ages. He was struck by the precision, accountability, and leadership required to operate one of the world's most complex military assets.
These types of interactions have deepened his appreciation for the sacrifices made not only by veterans, but their families, as well.
“Our country owes significant debt to our service members and their families,” he says. “We need to keep taking care of them.”
Raising Awareness Alongside Funds
When Meyer launched the event, he had two goals: raise awareness and raise funds. Nearly two decades later, he can confidently say that both goals have been achieved.
The fundraiser has been featured across television stations, newspapers, community publications, and national media. Last year, the event earned coverage in The Wall Street Journal, resulting in a $25,000 contribution from an organization that had learned about the fundraiser through the article.
Although Wisconsin, where Meyer lives, has a smaller military presence than states such as Texas or California, he has still seen the organization's impact reach close to home. A few of his friends and neighbors have connected with Hire Heroes USA over the years, benefiting from the services offered.
While awareness doesn't always translate directly into donations, Meyer has seen firsthand how visibility can create unexpected opportunities. More importantly, awareness helps shine a light on the challenges veterans and military spouses face as they navigate career transitions and highlights the resources available to support them.
Looking Ahead With Perspective
As Meyer reflects on the impact 100 Holes for Our Heroes has made, he is most proud of the lives that have been changed through the fundraiser's success. The dollars raised, media attention generated, and milestones achieved are meaningful, but the real impact lies in helping veterans and military spouses build better futures.
“Helping families start at a higher salary and live a better life is the best thing,” Meyer says.
Even after 19 years, he remains humble about his role.
“At the end of the day, I'm knocking a golf ball around a course for 10 hours,” he says. “That's very different from leaving your family for 10 months to serve your country.”
That perspective continues to drive him forward. Until the military no longer needs men and women willing to serve, Meyer believes the country has a responsibility to help them successfully transition afterward.
And as long as he's able, Meyer plans to continue the tradition. One hundred holes at a time.
To show your support for 100 Holes for Our Heroes, visit our donation page here or scan the QR code below.
Hire Heroes USA is dedicated to empowering transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce. Through personalized career coaching, résumé assistance, interview preparation, and job search support, Hire Heroes USA helps members of the military community build meaningful civilian careers. Visit www.hireheroesusa.org to learn more about available resources and services.