Karen Vaughn

GOLD STAR MOTHER, AUTHOR, VETERANS ADVOCATE, NATIONAL SPEAKER

Karen Vaughn is the mother of fallen US Navy SEAL, Aaron Carson Vaughn (SEAL Team VI). On August 6, 2011 Aaron was killed in action in the Tangi River Valley of Afghanistan when a chopper (call sign Extortion 17) carrying thirty Americans was shot from the sky while rushing into battle. Losing Aaron changed everything and launched Karen on a brand-new path.

Since Aaron’s death, Karen has emerged on the national scene as a powerful spokeswoman for not only our defenders still stationed on foreign soil and securing peace across the globe, but also as an advocate for a better, stronger, more resilient America.

Carrying on Aaron’s legacy has brought this Gold Star mother through the halls of Congress and into multiple National Press Conferences. As a cultural and political analyst, Karen has written for several of our nation’s leading news outlets with many of her articles going viral. She’s a regular guest on multiple national news programs and has interviewed with well over 100 national and local radio shows. Karen has been featured on large stages across the country as a keynote speaker, including a prime-time guest speaker position during opening night of the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Karen is the bestselling author of World Changer: A Mother’s Story and serves as an advocate and national speaker for the American Warrior Initiative Freedom Tour. She also serves with the non-profit her family began in honor and memory of her son, Operation 300.