Please note, some of the resources listed here may apply to only a subset group, such as Marines, or those with children. We have tried to break it down based on the operation. Some resources specify combat, others are based on date of death. Not all distinctions were grouped separately.
All Surviving Gold Star Family Members Ft. Hood Texas Area
Ft. Hood Army Base, Killeen Texas Gold Star Family Center now has a website to assist Gold Star Army Families in the Area. Gold Star Family members should receive continuing care and support from the Army Family and the community at large. The Gold Star Support Center was established to create programs to address the needs of all families who suffer the loss of a Soldier.
Patriot Guard Riders 'Fallen Warrior Scholarship Fund' needs applicants - the deadline is soon.
This is open to ALL BRANCHES of the Armed Forces/Coast Guard of the US - please pass this on so that someone may benefit from this scholarship fund.
Those eligible are college age dependent children and spouses of fallen service personnel since 9/11. Please go to this link on the Patriot Guard website for Application Requirements/Instructions.
Please ensure (with your email chains) full Blue and Gold Star distribution.
Thank you.
| Resources for all widows |
| Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs |
VA's 120 page Handbook, 2005 edition of Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents (lists the variety of federal benefits available to veterans and their dependents). |
| TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) |
TAPS offers peer support and assists survivors through a wide variety of programs
24 hour crisis line: 1-800-959-TAPS |
| Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association |
We provide scholarships to dependents of US Military Personnel declared MIA/KIA in armed conflicts from Vietnam to date and aircrewmembers killed performing aircraft duties. |
| Armed Forces Services Corp |
All widow(er)s are eligible to join AFSC and receive services. |
| Young Widows or Widowers (YWOW) |
YWOW is a community of younger widows and widowers located in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. YWOW is a not for profit organization which provides a safe environment to men and women who have lost their spouses much too early in life. We offer unique-mutual support, bereavement resources and social events in order to help rebuild lives, dreams and identities. |
| Freedom Alliance |
The Mission of Freedom Alliance is to advance the American heritage of freedom by honoring and encouraging military service, defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defense.
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund honors the bravery and dedication exhibited by Americans in our armed forces who have sacrificed life and limb by providing educational scholarships to their children. |
| American Merchant Marine at War |
World War II U.S. Merchant Marine was the critical factor for Victory. |
| Wounded Warriors |
Benefits for widows and wounded/injured personnel in named DOD operations |
| Resources for Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraq Freedom Widows/ers |
| Quilts to families of the Fallen from Afghanistan and Iraq. |
quilts to the families of the Fallen from Afghanistan and Iraq. |
| Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers |
Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers is a newly developed organization whose concept is to knit and mail a loving prayer shawl to fallen soldiers’ families. The majority of its grass-roots women across the country are church-based, however, it remains non-denominational in its focus. To learn more about this group, please visit us.
Please notify Cozette Haggerty at the following email address: ps4fs@earthlink.net |
National Military Family Association
|
The Voice for Military Families. |
| Operation Family Fund |
Provide for the Families of those who have been killed or severely disabled during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with funds for immediate or long-term needs; Fund a National Memorial dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives in our country's War on Terror |
| Operation Thankful Nation |
We would like to send a free keepsake package to every family who has lost a loved one |
| Armed Forces Services Corp |
The Relief Socities have partnered with AFSC to sponsor membership in AFSC for widows of active duty deaths after 9-11 (effective dates vary by service). The Relief Society pays the lifetime membership fee in AFSC for the widow. We have developed a webpage in our site that specifically addresses eligibility and services under that program. |
| Fallen Troops Foundation |
The Fallen Troops Foundation is raising money to aid the immediate families of those Virginians who have been killed in action. |
| Operation Enduring Christmas |
For children of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Special Operations Warrior Foundation |
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides college scholarship grants, based on need, along with financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnel who were killed in an operational mission or training accident |
| Fallen Patriot Fund |
The Fallen Patriot Fund of the Mark Cuban Foundation was established to help families of US military personnnel who were killed or seriously injured during OIF. |
| Lionheart Creations |
Carlos Jones and his wife and daughter Kathy & Ashley is forming an organization called HEROES. HEROES stands for Honoring and Eternally Remembering Ones Everlasting Service. Carlos and his family have donated over three hundred and fifty portraits to the families of our fallen soldiers free of charge and is still continuing to do so to aid in our fight against cowardly terrorism; If you know of a family that we can donate a portrait to that has lost someone in the war (Coalition Forces Also) or in the attacks on 9/11 please contact us with the information and we will try to see that they recieve one of our portraits |
| Project Linus |
Provides handmade blankets to the children who have lost a parent in the war on terror. Please go to the "contact us" section on our Home Page and give us the name of your fallen hero, the age and gender of the children, and the address where the blanket is to be mailed |
| Western Pennsylvania Families of Fallen Heroes Support Group |
Families and friends of soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan/Iraq Freedom military campaigns are invited and urged to be part of our support group. All branches of military are included, and we invite families in the tri-state area as well as families across the country to participate in our online support network. The Families of Fallen Heroes Group offers support, information, and connections with other grieving families and friends. We are also taking up the fight to change laws to get more support for the parents and to make other changes |
| Michael G Reagan |
Using the family's favorite photo, professional custom hand-drawn portraits are available free of charge to the families of all servicemen and women who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in America's War Against Terrorism from portrait artist Michael Reagan |
| 911 Help America |
Our short term goals are to locate military families or individuals that have been affected by the War On Terror and try to help them with direct donations, and hopefully learn what their needs are and how we may be able to help. |
| Children Of Fallen Soldier Relief Fund |
a means of providing College assistance to surviving children of our U.S. military service members who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We now are able to provide College Grants to the spouses as well as emergency funds to those families with children under 18 who need assistance with rent, utilities, groceries, clothing, food and other necessary items. |
| Never Forget Flag |
The Armed Forces Memorial Tribute Flag was designed to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us. All profits from sales go to the Armed Forces Family Aid and Relief Fund (administered by the USO of Metropolitan NY), a resource to help ease the burden for active duty personnel, their families and their survivors facing sudden financial crisis due to deployment or death. The fund is available to members of all branches of the armed forces. |
| Fallen Heroes Last Wish Foundation |
The objective of this foundation is to grant the last wish of the U.S. servicemembers who have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom: to provide for their children |
| U.S. Department of Defense |
Link to Department of Defense websites (Organizations who wish to donate to service members are no longer listed here. |
| Operation Home Front Quilts |
Operation Homefront Quilts provides memorial quilts to every military family who has lost a loved one in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Recipients include parents OR widows and children presently living with them). We would welcome receiving direct addresses so that we do not have to send the quilts through the bases. You may contact us at: Porterfamilyandskip@msn.com |
| Freedom Quilts |
Betty came up with a wonderful idea for a project to help the victim's families of the Sept. 11 tragedy. She believes that with God's help and the help of others, this can be done. Her goal is to deliver one FREEDOM QUILT to each victim's family of the September 11th attacks. With the help from Church groups, youth groups, clubs and/or organizations and individuals from all over the country working on this project it can be done |
| Honor the Fallen Foundation |
Honor The Fallen Foundation is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to honoring the memory of American service men and women and government employees who have died while supporting the war on terrorism both abroad and in the U.S. These brave men and women will be honored by personalized 3' x 6' memorial quilt panels created by their families and friends. Each of these panels will be joined together to form an "Honor The Fallen" Memorial Quilt. The quilt will be displayed on tour throughout the United States to memorialize those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country |
| CDO Music Group |
This is an online store that sells patriotic music CDs, posters and pictures |
| KIA Memorial Quilt |
Volunteer group has been established to create memorial quilts to honor the US Service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Military personnel killed in action will have a quilt block inscribed with their name and other personal information. The memorial quilts will be assembled and will be made available to travel to the various United States military bases, state capitals, etc. |
| United Warrior Survivor Foundation |
Their purview is rather focused. Their mission is to support the spouses (wives) of fallen Special Operations (any service) members who are KIA or lost in training accidents after 9/11/01. |
| Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation |
Assistance to children of Marines or Federal law enforcement personnel who were killed on duty or died under extraordinary circumstances while serving our country at home or abroad. Funds to provide children with scholarships for their higher education. |
| Leonore Rae Smith |
Offers free painting of portrait of spouse.
Call (310) 454-4096 |
| Remembear Me Bears |
Sharon Bell provides this service - she will make a bear out of almost any clothing. You can send your spouse's uniform, for example, and she will use it to make the teddy bear. Call (707) 678-3738 |
| Gallaghers Army |
The Purpose of this Fund is to Assist the Children of the Men and Women who have Died while Serving Bravely in the Armed Services, Fighting the War on Terror |
| Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund |
Established to assist the children and spouses of those soldiers lost in the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars. If there is a financial need experienced by the soldier's family in terms of assistance with either emergency home repairs or college funds in the form of small grants for tuition or books, then we can assist depending upon the need and the funds available. As of this time, all proceeds go directly to qualified families. We are a volunteer group of board members and supporters contributing in a small way to assist our soldiers' families. |
| Navy Marine Corps Relief Society |
The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society provides assistance to children for undergraduate education. Please contact the number below for more information. (703) 696-4960 |
| Operation Remembrance |
Operation Remembrance is a nonprofit organization run by Army spouses that provides memory boxes to the spouse or parents of fallen soldiers. We currently provide these memory boxes for the spouse or parents of soldiers lost while serving in Operation Enduring Fredom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. We also provide boxes to the spouse or parents of those soldiers killed tragically while on active duty. To request a box or find out more about our organizaton visit our site at www.operationremembrance.org. "Always in Our Hearts" |
| American Heroes Tribute |
Robert Pfeiler provides banners at no cost to families for display througout the country. Call 949-642-2044. |
| Resources for Operation Iraq Freedom Widows/ers |
| Last Wish Foundation |
The objective of this foundation is to grant the last wish of the U.S. servicemembers who have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom: to provide for their children |
| Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA |
Beneficiaries of the North County Honor Campaign are children of Marines and sailors in units deployed from Camp Pendleton, Miramar, Twentynine Palms, and Yuma, Arizona. In addition, it includes children of other service members with residence in North San Diego and Southwest Riverside counties. For each child, $15,000 is used to purchase U.S. Savings Bonds intended for educational use.
Contact: George Brown (760) 385-4921. Information found at
www.nctimes.com/community/honor_campaign/ |
| Home of the Brave Quilt Project |
Donald Beld donbeld@pacbell.net. Quilts given to families who have lost a soldier in Iraq. Don can direct you to the volunteer state coordinator in your state. |
| Marine Comfort Quilts |
Marine Comfort Quilt Group is a not for profit ministry whose objective is to provide a memorial quilt of comfort to the next of kin of our fallen military. Our quilts are made from thirty quilt squares, each containing an inspirational message from it's donor or another serviceman. Our quilts are stitches of love from those who want so badly to bring comfort, but don't know how to help; applies to all services |
Kristine Schueler
Photo Preservation
Services
Archive Management |
New York widows only: My services help individuals and companies organize, manage, care and preserve their valued photographs, negatives and other works on paper. I would be very interested in volunteering my services (include organizing, sequencing and mounting photos into albums and consultation on the preservation and care of photographs) to any family members in the New York City area who have lost a loved one in the current war. For each soldier who lost their life, there is a life left behind for their families, friends, and communities to perpetuate. All that is left of that individual to continue their legacy (aside from their spirit) are photographs, letters and film. It is vital to save and preserve their history and I would like to help in any way I can. Telephone: 212.860.3090
Email: kschueler@erols.com |
| Resources for all widows and other family members |
| This is Army Long Term Care Family Case Management. |
This is Army Long Term Care Family Case Management. The are part of the Army's Casualty and Mortuary Division and offer assistance with almost any problem a survivor encounters. Their mission is to assist with the problems encountered by the survivors of any soldier who died on active duty. The phone number is 1-866-272-5841. They will assist survivors of any military service if possible. If they cannot assist you, they will refer you to the proper source to obtain assistance. |
| TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) |
TAPS offers peer support and assists survivors through a wide variety of programs 24 hour crisis line: 1-800-959-TAPS |
| American Gold Star Mothers |
The membership of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is composed of American Mothers who lost a son or daughter during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, all Strategic Areas, or while in service to our country |
| Military Support |
Free Download: CONTENT, in the order it appears: The Star Spangled Banner plays while viewing images of a variety of American flags; Service songs of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy play while viewing images related to each branch; The Last Full Measure of Devotion plays while viewing images honoring those who have served America, and especially those who gave their lives, from WW II up through the bombing of the USS Cole; Amazing Grace (with bagpipes) plays while viewing images of a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery honoring 3 buddies, a Navy FMF Corpsman and 2 Marines, who died while we were patients at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in 1970; Echo Taps and a rifle squad salute play while viewing images of buglers from each of the 5 branches of our Military; God Bless America plays while viewing images saluting Navy Corpsmen, Army Medics and all those who provide comfort to the injured; A somber rendition of America The Beautiful plays while viewing images of the front pages of American newspapers immediately after 09/11/01; The Battle Hymn Of The Republic plays during video clips of American warplanes in action and then images of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to honor all those currently serving our country; Stars And Stripes Forever plays while viewing the credits, including a brief salute to Bob Hope, America's only Honorary Veteran. |
| Veterans for Common Sense |
A guide for returning veterans to help them navigate the available benefits and assistance available; for people looking for ways to support the troops, and with resources for families including surviving spouses. |
| Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation |
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation of volunteer men and women dedicated to providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of United States Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action. |
| Yahoo Group for Children |
Children of active duty military, who's parent died on active duty serving our country, a web group for the children to talk to other children/tees who understand their tramatic and significant loss. |
| The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families |
An organization that helps grieving children. There is a section at the top that is labeled "locate center" and it will give names and locations of centers all across the states if not world. |
| Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center |
Readjustment Counseling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, provides bereavement counseling for spouses, parents and children of servicemembers killed on active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. |
| NSW Foundation |
A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide educational and motivational support, promote health and welfare programs for the Naval Special Warfare Community, and perpetuate the history and heritage of the U.S. Naval Commandos, including U.S. Navy SEALs. We provide college scholarships to wives and dependent children of NSW personnel, computers for children of surviving warriors, and assistance to families during times of tragedy. We also support the SEAL Teams with family events. |
| Military OneSource |
Military OneSource is a virtual extension of the family support services found on an installation. Consultants are standing by 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. Consultants can assist with big issues or small problems and can also refer callers to six short term counseling sessions in their hometown. All of this is available at no cost to the family. |
| National Veterans Foundation |
The NVF has opened a toll-free helpline (1-888-777-4443) for Troops, Veterans and their families. All calls are answered live by trained veterans, who listen, provide crisis intervention services, emotional support and information, or immediate referrals to local providers who can help. The NVF Helpline has already served more than 275,000 people in need. NVF aims to get the helpline running 24/7, but it currently operates from 9a.m.-9p.m., M-F. All messages received during off hours are returned the next business day, and requests for assistance can also be submitted via e-mail at vetsupport@nvf.org.
or 1-888-777-4443 |
| USA KIA/DOW Family Foundation |
The USA KIA/DOW Family Foundation (USAKIA) is here to increase ability to demonstrate the strength of families with killed in action (KIA) or died of wounds (DOW) while in our U.S. Armed Forces. KIA family and public support through USAKIA programs such as membership, memorials, and direct support to KIA families will honor their memory, show gratitude, and provide America with social justice. We are there for the whole family, and we are also a unique organization begun by KIA family members, for USA KIA family members, and for us, every day is Memorial Day. "All gave some ... Some gave all." |
| Agent Orange Quilt of Tears |
The Quilts of Tears make up an independent, private memorial to honor living and deceased victims of Agent Orange. The late Jennie R. LeFevre established the memorial to draw national attention to the plight of Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange. Family members and friends of victims are invited to submit quilt blocks in honor of their loved ones. The blocks are then added to the quilts and displayed throughout the nation. |
| Gift From Within |
Gift From Within, an international nonprofit organization is dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals. Educational materials include videotapes, books and articles for both clinicians and those experiencing PTSD. Gift From Within was founded by Frank Ochberg, M.D., an expert in PTSD. Dr. Ochberg is the former Associate Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and one of the team members who wrote the medical definition for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. |
| The Order of the Silver Rose |
The Order of the Silver Rose has a Mission to provide Honors and Recognition to the thousands upon thousands of Heroes who have been sickened or deceased by Agent Orange cancers or sicknesses with the gratis presentation of The Prestigiious Order of The Silver Rose Medal and Award to all Vietnam Veterans or the Families of these deceased Heroes. |
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is a non-profit 501(C)4 national military widows service organization chartered by the United States Congress.
