Brigadier General Diehl was born on MacDill Air Force Base and went on to serve a decorated 30-year Air Force Career. He rose in rank to command two mobility wings, including 6th Air at MacDill. In retirement, Brigadier General Diehl has been a go-to community advocate, weaving his hometown passion with numerous military-based charities. He spearheaded MacDill's 75thAnniversary celebration and served with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance. He was also a driving force in the creation of the Gold Star Family Memorial located in Downtown Tampa.
The grant tonight will be used to support the unique missions of CRISP and Tampa Bay Defense Alliance. CRISP is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring Tampa's military community, our veterans and our Gold Star families of those who have given their lives in service of our country. Tampa Bay Defense Alliance is dedicated to championing our Defense Community, speaking as One Team, One Voice.
Brigadier General Diehl became the 547th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $29.72 million to more than 700 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
