When Hugh M. Gravitt looks toward the horizon this November, it won’t just be from Central Florida. The U.S. Navy veteran and Lake County community member will join 25 fellow veterans from across the country in a nine-day climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak.

The group is part of Team Red, White & Blue’s SOARING EAGLES program, which empowers veterans through shared physical and emotional challenges. Their mission is both symbolic and deeply personal: to stand on Kilimanjaro’s summit at sunrise on Veterans Day.

(Hugh Gravitt stands at the top of Stone Mountain Summit. Hugh is no stranger to climbing and has been training for this opportunity of a lifetime.)

“This journey represents resilience, brotherhood, and the strength of America’s veteran community,” Hugh says. “To be able to reach the summit on Veterans Day is a once-in-a-lifetime way to honor those who have served.” Together, the veterans will face grueling terrain, altitude shifts, and long days of hiking before attempting to reach the 19,341-foot summit on Nov. 11.

For Hugh, the climb is about more than personal endurance. A proud Lake County resident, he currently serves on the county’s Board of Adjustment for District 1 and represents the county on the WellFlorida Council. His commitment to service, he says, extends far beyond his military career.

“Representing Lake County on an international stage is an honor,” Hugh says. Team Red, White & Blue, has built a national reputation for fostering veteran connections through physical fitness, outdoor challenges, and community involvement. The Kilimanjaro climb is one of its most ambitious undertakings, designed to test endurance while forging bonds among veterans who may arrive as strangers but will leave as teammates and brothers just like the military.

(The group of veteran climbers will attempt to stand on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Veterans Day.)

The symbolism of reaching the summit at sunrise on Veterans Day is not lost on Hugh. “It’s about carrying the stories of those who served and honoring them in the highest way possible, literally and figuratively,” he says.

The climbers will begin their trek in early November and, after their summit push, will spend several days descending before returning home. Hugh hopes to bring back not only memories of the journey but also a renewed sense of purpose to share with his community.

“This climb is about showing what’s possible when veterans come together with determination and unity,” Hugh says. “I’m proud to represent Lake County, my fellow veterans, and this country on that mountain.”