Honoring SSG Ryan Knuass, US Army: Gold Star Mom visits Florida Atlantic

Florida Atlantic University’s Military & Veteran Student Success Center, Army ROTC, and Veteran Owls student organization had the honor of hosting Mrs. Paula Knauss-Selph, Executive Director of the Respect and Remember Foundation (also known as R2Factor). Mrs. Knauss-Selph is the mother of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, a standout soldier and leader from the 9^th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), who was one of 13 U.S. Service Members killed on August 26^th, 2021 in the suicide bombing of Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

With support from FAU’s Marleen and Harold Forkas Alumni Center and Housing & Residential Education, Mrs. Knauss-Selph received a tour of the Boca Raton campus and Parliament Hall, affording her a fantastic view into what makes FAU special. Our MVSSC Staff could not be more grateful for the support and care provided by our fellow Owls to show immense respect to a Gold Star mother and incredible supporter of past, present and future Service Members.

FAU’s Army ROTC program, led by Captains Christopher Ferretti and Esau Davis and Sergeant First Class  Jonathan Linder, welcomed Mrs. Knauss-Selph to the Owl Company footprint as she spent time speaking with cadets about R2Factor’s support of JROTC and ROTC cadets around the nation and telling stories of Ryan’s passion for service. R2Factor encourages JROTC and ROTC cadets through merit-based scholarships for cadets preparing to enter military service and annual events to promote physical training and readiness among the cadet corps.

Mrs. Knauss-Selph’s visit comes as the Veteran Owls prepare to host their first annual Reel Heroes charity bass fishing tournament, with all entry fees and donations supporting R2Factor. The Reel Heroes tournament is a 5-day Largemouth and Peacock Bass tournament open to both FAU Students and the public, where anglers can fish anywhere in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties during the tournament window and report their 5 largest fish through the TourneyX mobile app. Winners from the categories Overall, Veteran, FAU Student and Big Bass (largest single fish) will receive prizes donated by supporting businesses and organizations like Bass Pro Shops, the FAU Military and Veteran Alumni Network, IPIC Theaters, and others!

For more information on R2Factor, Ryan’s story, or the Reel Heroes Tournament, please see below:

Respect and Remember Foundation: https://r2factor.org/

Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss: https://r2factor.org/ryans-story/

Reel Heroes Tournament: https://tourneyx.com/leaderboard/standings/fl-reel-heroes-charity-bass-tournament