Memorial Day is one for pausing and reflecting on the ultimate sacrifice made by the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. As we remember and honor their sacrifices, let us also remember their loved ones who continue to persevere despite enduring a tragic loss.
At Children of Fallen Patriots, we have the privilege of serving the children of fallen servicemembers. For many children whose parents gave the ultimate sacrifice, they continue to honor them in remarkable ways.
Gabe R., a Fallen Patriots graduate, is the son of Air Force Staff Sergeant Ray R., who tragically passed away in the line of duty in 2005. Gabe chose a career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) because his father was a firefighter and he grew up in that close-knit environment. “After losing my dad, I learned that life is precious and that you never know when it is going to be your last time seeing your family, friends, or significant other. You should really cherish each moment you have with them and make the most of it and be kind to others, because you don’t know what’s going on in their life and what they’re feeling.”
Working in the healthcare field, Gabe has been on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had my first COVID-19 patient at work in the beginning of the pandemic, and it was a little nerve-wracking putting on a Tyvek suit with boot covers, N-95 surgical mask and goggles. It was not normal for us to always wear this gear. The increase in patients with the symptoms of the virus became a daily occurrence at work and became more of a reality as time passed. We are constantly washing our hands and wearing our protective gear to help prevent any spread.”
The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting many roadblocks to our Fallen Patriots student community. Almost half of our students and parents have lost their jobs, and 70% say their colleges are not providing any financial relief from the pandemic. This increased financial burden on our students comes at a time when our primary fundraising events have also been cancelled.
Now, more than ever, our students are facing uncertainty about what the future holds, but our commitment to serving our military families remains steadfast.
We believe a college education is the single most important gift we can give these children, and it is one of the best ways we can honor those who died defending our country. It is also an important investment in the future of America.
Gabe’s frontline work demonstrates how Fallen Patriots students go on to do incredible things for our country, and undoubtedly, he will inspire many of his peers to do the same.
We have provided over $38 million in college scholarships to more than 1800 military children just like Gabe. Supporting them as they pursue their educational dreams is only possible because of your generous donations. On Memorial Day, we encourage you to join us in honoring those we have lost - and support their children.