Our strategic passion
Honoring Our
Military Heroes
Military servicemen and women sacrifice in incredible ways to serve the United States. We desire to support these American Heroes by providing for their spouses and children. Our strategic partner Folds of Honor Foundation supports educational scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen or disabled servicemen who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Folds of Honor’s mission is to honor their sacrifice and educate their legacy.
It began with Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney’s flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled.
As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board. Lt. Colonel Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family on the tarmac. Among them was the deceased Corporal’s young son, Jacob.
Since that night, Lt Col Rooney has committed his life – through the Folds of Honor – to provide scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Jacob Bucklin became the first Folds of Honor scholarship recipient in 2007.
The Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation supports educational scholarships through Folds of Honor Foundation for the spouses and children of servicemen from Kentucky and Tennessee. Learn more here.
Did You Know?
51%
of military family respondents indicate that they do not feel a sense of belonging within their local civilian community.
53%
feel they are not valued members of the local community.
Military pay and benefits
are listed as a top concern among all members of military affiliation: active duty members (40%), active duty spouses (42%), veterans (42%).
49%
of military families have less than $5K in savings. The top reason military members listed for exiting service is the concern that military life is having a negative impact on their family.
Fewer than half
of military spouse respondents were employed in 2021, and of those who were employed, the majority (51%) earned less than $20K in 2021--with 39% earning less than $10K.
The percentage of military spouse respondents who indicated they were unemployed increased to 28% in 2017.
30%
of military caregiver respondents reported report being unemployed (seeking work), and 50% report feeling isolated.
A majority of military caregivers (53%) report a diagnosis of anxiety or depression (45%).
67%
of military family respondents indicate they are not always able to obtain the childcare they need.
Military child education and impact of deployment on children ranked as a top concern for both service members and military spouses in 2021.
48%
of veteran spouses say their veteran exhibited signs of PTSD in 2021.
29%
of veteran spouses considered separation or divorce in 2017.
SOURCES:
https://bluestarfam.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ExecSummary17-FINAL.pdf
https://bluestarfam.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BSF_Survey17_Snapshot_Final.pdf
https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/2017-AHAR-Part-1.pdf