See list of Charities Supporting the Military
On 2 May 2004, Petty Officer Pete Herrick’s life changed forever. A naval reservist recalled to duty in Iraq, Herrick was serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 in Ramadi. While preparing for a convoy mission, Herrick’s unit fell under mortar attack, leaving 5 of his comrades dead and 33 wounded. When Herrick regained consciousness, he was in a Navy hospital in Bethesda with his wife, Diana. Herrick awoke to the news that he was paralyzed from the neck down and his left leg had been amputated.
In addition to the emotional and physical challenges caused by his combat disability, the Herrick family has to rely on a combination of military pay, government benefits, and charitable aid to pay the bills. Unfortunately, Herrick’s story is not unique.
At the time of this writing, 1,050 U.S. servicemembers have lost their lives in Iraq and more than 7,200 have been wounded in action—among them 2,200 sailors and Marines. Even before the official declaration of hostilities on 19 March 2003, U.S. military personnel, government workers, civilian contractors, and the media have been paying the ultimate sacrifice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As members of the military community, we feel a special connection to all military families, and, in particular, to those who have suffered some type of loss. Although tragedy is no stranger to military service, the scope of the recent losses has brought to the forefront the sacrifice of our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan—as well as the breadth of their needs. The challenges faced by military families are unique, significant, and acute. Although Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs programs provide meaningful medical and survivor benefits, military families suffering a casualty often are put in financial extremis. For many, the road to recovery and rehabilitation is long and costly.
Fortunately, there are a great many ways for us to help our own—from sending messages of support to volunteering to providing financial support to charities focused on helping servicemembers, veterans, and their families. This year, the Combined Federal Campaign and Navy-Marine Corps Relief fund drives take on even more meaning and urgency as members of our own community are in need of our help.
The tradition of the military helping its own goes back many years. “Founded in 1904, the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society has been helping tens of thousands of sailors and Marines each year,” said retired Navy Admiral Steve Abbot, President and CEO of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. “In the hundred years since we were founded, we’ve provided one billion dollars of assistance to over four million sailors and Marines.”
According to Admiral Abbot, the society has been dealing with the hardships on families caused by combat deployments and the high tempo of operations. The Herrick family is one of the many families benefiting from the society’s programs. “The society helped pay to fly our children to Pete’s bedside,” said Diana Herrick. “I haven’t been back to my house in five months since this happened, and the support we’ve received from the Navy and Navy Relief has made all the difference.”
Although support for the society remains strong, Admiral Abbot cautions against complacency. “Historically, the community has been extremely generous in response to incidents such as 9/11 or the USS Cole [DDG-67]. Unfortunately, during prolonged events like the war in Iraq people can be less inclined to give charitably—although the need continues.”
President Abraham Lincoln said the nation has an obligation “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan.” Let us continue the proud tradition of taking care of our own.
See list of Charities Supporting the Military
Mr. Michel is President of Military.com, a company focused on connecting service members, veterans, and their families to all the benefits earned in service to America. He is a former naval officer.
Charting Your Course: Supporting Our Own
By Christopher Michel