SPARTAN SWORD REMEMBERS BOONE CUTLER, AUTHOR OF THE SPARTAN PLEDGE

Boone Cutler passed away on September 18, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, September 18, SpartanSword.org received the heartbreaking news that Chairman and guiding inspiration, Boone Cutler, passed away from health complications connected to his military service.

Boone's impact on the Spartan Sword mission and on the lives of countless veterans was impressive. Nearly a decade ago, when the devastating impact of overprescribed opioids, SSRIs, and benzodiazepines on veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan was still little understood, Boone recognized both the dangers of these medications and their tragic connection to the disproportionately high suicide rate among post-9/11 service members. He often reminded us, "Our medical establishment is more effective at killing us than the Taliban."

Boone's own journey reflected both sacrifice and resilience. He began his military career as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, and like so many others, re-enlisted after 9/11. While serving in Iraq, he suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent nearly two years recovering at Walter Reed, where he became dependent on what he called the "Zombie Cocktail" of prescribed medications.

Refusing to accept this fate, Boone checked himself into the VA hospital in Reno, NV, and made the difficult choice to go cold-turkey off of those medications. From that trial emerged the idea that became his greatest legacy: the Spartan Pledge.

Though Boone authored the Pledge, he never claimed it as his own, describing himself as simply the messenger. 

"I will not take my own life by my own hand without talking to my Battle Buddy first. My mission is to find a mission to support my warfighter family."

Through these two sentences, Boone gave thousands of veterans a lifeline—urging them not to isolate, but to reconnect with their brothers and sisters, and to rediscover purpose through service to others.

Soon, the pledge found its symbol. With steel donated from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and forged by a veteran blacksmith, the Spartan Sword was born. Today, it travels to veteran events across the country, carrying Boone's message of hope and solidarity. Time and again, Boone personally carried that message—often dropping everything to be present for an individual veteran in crisis, no matter their religion, race, or political beliefs. His example of compassion and selflessness is one we hope more will carry forward by asking, "What would Boone do?" before acting in haste.

Just one day before his passing, Boone was preparing to carry the Spartan Sword in the National Veterans Parade in Washington, D.C., as a guest of the Grunt Style Foundation. He was overjoyed at the chance to share the pledge with a wider audience than our small nonprofit could ever reach. Although Boone will not march on that day, his beloved wife, Malisa, will carry the Spartan Sword in his honor.

Boone never sought to assign blame for the tragedies of veteran suicide. Instead, he reminded us that true healing begins peer to peer—through the bonds we share and the choice to walk beside each other in difficult times.

The Spartan Sword will march in the National Veterans Parade on November 9th in Washington, D.C., and on November 11th in New York City. May Boone's voice, mission, and legacy live on in every warrior who takes the Spartan Pledge.

For more information on the 2025 National Veterans Parade and the Spartan Sword, please visit nationalveteransparade.org or spartansword.org. Those wishing to join or support the Spartan Sword's march may contact us at [email protected].

About the SpartanSword.org 

SpartanSword.org is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to halting the rise in suicides within the veteran and first responder communities. The SpartanSword.org funds events across the United States where veterans and first responders can view the Spartan Sword and Spartan Axe and take a simple pledge to reach out to another veteran or first responder should they ever consider suicide so they can get the support they need. Make a tax-deductible donation at www.spartansword.org to support this life-changing work.

SOURCE Spartan Sword