Service Related Organizations

Many of these organizations have much more extensive resource listings than our own. If you're interested in a specific area like Vietnam, check the link/resource page of appropriate sites below.

Gold Star Family Support Group - Supporting each other while sharing our grief, memories and ways to heal. We encourage all family members to help and heal. Parents are not the only ones who are affected by the death of our soldiers. Our children and also the in-laws and wives and husbands. Share your stories, pictures and begin to heal. Help others along the way and in doing so you will also be helping yourself. This group is run by a Gold Star Mother.

Gold Star Wives of America - An organization of military widows/widowers whose spouse  died while on active duty or from service connected disabilities. 

Blue Star Mothers of America - Mothers who now have, or have had, children serving in the military.

Gold Star Siblings - The goal of Gold Star Siblings is to bring together ‘gold star’ brothers and sisters in a single online community and be able to honor and remember their brother/sister, and to support one another with their loss.

Proud Army Moms - Our mission is to support our military, its soldiers, its activities both stateside and overseas, its goals, and families.

Rolling Thunder -   Rolling Thunder®, Inc.'s major function is to publicize the POW-MIA issue. To educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. To help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. We are committed to helping American veterans from all wars!

T.A.P.S. - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. TAPS has experienced, empathetic caseworkers who act as liaisons, assisting the family members in finding solutions to problems. Working hand in hand with the appropriate federal, state and private agencies, they have been successful in helping find solutions to problems that arise long after the official file has been closed.

Vietnam Veterans of America - VVA's goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America - The nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.

Iraq War Veterans Org - provides information and support to active military personnel and family members related to pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment issues, as well as service member and family Deployment Readiness problems,  PTSD, Health issues and Veterans Benefits.

Beirut Stamp Initiative - In memory of those lost to the first act of terrorism towards Americans on October 23, 1983 and to the others who died while serving both before and after and to honor the
Peacekeepers of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force Beirut, Lebanon.

VietNow - Working every day on the veterans issues that are important to you right now...today.

Sons and Daughters in Touch - Locate, unite and provide support to Sons, Daughters and other family members of those who died or remain missing as a result of the Vietnam War.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - Help preserve the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, promote healing and educate about the impact of the Vietnam War.

Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes -   Dignity Memorial network of funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories with over 1800 providers nationwide in their outreach to the community sponsors a Homeless Veterans Burial Program. (See also our local page.)

Silver Star Families of America - Dedicated to supporting and assisting our wounded and their families. Our goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice of our wounded and to remember their efforts by honoring them with the silver star banner.

American WWII Orphans Network - Any son or daughter of a soldier, seaman or airman killed, missing or who died while on active duty during WWII, or as result of wounds, is eligible to join AWON as an Orphan Member. Other relatives of the fallen, including a brother, sister, wife, nephew, niece, grandson, or granddaughter are welcomed as Family Members.

Naval Order of the United States - The Order encourages research and writing on naval and maritime subjects and promotes the preservation of historic artifacts and memories of our naval and maritime history. We are also a fraternal Order, so camaraderie is an equal ingredient.

Honor Flights - Honor Flight is a non profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. We fly our heroes to Washington, DC to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – WW II survivors along with those other veterans that may be terminally ill.

World War II Families for the Return of the Missing - To work jointly with JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command), DPMO (Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office), and the Repatriation Divisions of the US Armed Services to bring final resolution to the Families and Friends of our Missing American Personnel from World War II. We advocate for the Families and Friends to bring these service members home to their Final Resting Place.

Gold Star Guide - A consolidated web resource for those who have lost a loved one in the service of their country.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor - The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor commemorates the extraordinary sacrifices of America's servicemen and servicewomen who were killed or wounded in combat. The mission of the Hall of Honor is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across generations to ensure that all recipients are represented.

The Virtual Wall - The Virtual Wall opened on March 23, 1997 to honor the American women and men who died in the Vietnam War. We provide friends and relatives of those casualties the means to ensure that the man or woman will not be forgotten.

Gold Star Dads of America - It is our desire to build an ongoing support mechanism to honor the families of active duty soldiers who died during the Global War on Terror, and to assist U.S. military personnel from every branch of service who have suffered debilitating catastrophic injuries; and to provide the much needed funding to purchase and distribute high quality wheelchairs for our Wounded Warriors and to assist and encourage these fine young men and women and their families. They deserve nothing less than the best we can give.

American Legion Auxiliary - The women of the American Legion Auxiliary educate children, organize community events and help our nation's veterans through legislative action and volunteerism. The American Legion Auxiliary is the world's largest women's patriotic service organization with nearly 1 million members.

Veteran's Airlift Command - The Veterans Airlift Command provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.

Our priority is on the veterans of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). As capacity allows, our mission will expand to serve veterans of other conflicts.

Commercial Organizations

Coventry Pewter - Preserving And Honoring American History Through Sculpture. Web Site of Andrew Chernak, sculptor of the Gold Star Mothers Memorial Statue in Kent, NY.

USA Military Medals - Official full-service Department of Defense / U.S. Armed Forces military medals, ribbons, badges, attachments, and devices. Our Veteran Staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and in addition to customer service provide ribbon rack mounting services. All our medals, service ribbons, badges, and other articles are manufactured in accordance with Government specifications using government furnished tools, bearing a hallmark assigned by The Institute of Heraldry. The manufacturer has received a certification to produce the specific items. Hence all of our military medals and ribbons are authorized for wear on all service uniforms.

Service Flags & Buttons - Pentagon fact sheet with information concerning service flags and service lapel buttons which are for use by members of families of persons serving in the Armed Forces. Also has names and links to certified manufacturers of service flags and lapel buttons (at bottom of page).

Military Connection - We connect highly viable candidates with government jobs and federal jobs as well as outstanding civilian employers. We offer many resources to obtain outstanding government, federal and civilian.

Amazon.com - Books of all kinds about and by Gold Star Mothers.

All Things Military - Provides resources and information about military benefits, including the GI Bill, tuition assistance, healthcare, military discounts, education funding, career advancement and financial support.

Scholarship Funds

Cpl Nich Dieruf Memorial Fund - The Cpl Nich Dieruf Memorial Fund strives to help military service members and their families across the United States by providing financial assistance and/or resources to those families in distress. We hope to bring peace of mind to those who gave some and to those who gave all.

Bryan D. Willard Scholarship - In 2006, Boston University’s Metropolitan College established the Bryan D. Willard Memorial Scholarship in memory of Marine Captain Bryan Willard, a highly decorated officer and graduate student at Metropolitan College who was killed in the line of duty.

David Michael Veverka Memorial Scholarship - The purpose of this memorial scholarship is to provide three (3) $1,000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors in Mercer or Crawford county high schools each year. One will be given to a senior from Jamestown High School. This scholarship is in honor of Staff Sergeant David Michael Veverka, who was killed in Iraq on May 6, 2006.

Government Organizations

Veterans Administration

VA Creates Procedures for Benefits in Wake of Hurricane Katrina

Survivors Information

Headstone Application - Application for a standard government headstone or marker for installation in a private or state veterans' cemetery. (pdf) (See also National Cemetery Admin below)

Gravesite Locator - Search for burial locations of veterans and their dependents in VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries and various other Department of Interior and military cemeteries.

National Cemetery Admin - Details of benefits available to veterans for burial in National, State and private cemeteries. (See also our local overview page.)

National Resource Directory - The National Resource Directory (NRD) provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Americas Heroes at Work - A U.S. Department of Labor project that focuses on the employment challenges of returning service members living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

White House Commission on Remembrance - The White House Commission on Remembrance is an independent government agency whose missions include:

• Promoting the spirit of unity and remembrance through observance of The National Moment of Remembrance at 3 PM local time on Memorial Day;
  
• Ensuring the nation remembers the sacrifices of America's fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present;
  
• Recognizing those who served and those who continue to serve our great nation and reminding all Americans of their common heritage.

Gold Star Family Support Center - 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.

Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center - The CMAOC mission is to assist Army families in an emotionally stressful time of bereavement. (Investigate the additional links at the left of the page.)

Army Families Online - A one-stop resolution center established to assist surviving family members of deceased Army Soldiers with questions regarding benefits, outreach, advocacy and support. Our mission is to provide long-term support and advocacy, and offer comprehensive solutions to the families of fallen Soldiers by partnering with private and public organizations, in addition to various outreach groups. See particularly the Families First Casualty Call Center page.

Disability.gov - Connects people with disabilities, their family members, veterans, caregivers, employers, service providers and others with the resources they need to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in the workplace and in their communities.

Support the Troops Organizations

Wall Street War Fighters - Wall Street Warfighters is an organization focused on benefiting Service Disabled Veterans. Its mission is to identify, develop, and place disabled veterans in long-term professions in the financial services industry following their military service.

Any Soldier - Want to send your support to a Soldier in harm's way, but have no idea of what to send, who to send it to, or how to send it?

Operation Quiet Comfort - Creating care packages to be sent to "Any American Hero" at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany and other medical care facilities abroad.

HeroBracelets.org - Our aim is to raise money to help build a world-class advanced training skills facility at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The center will serve military personnel catastrophically disabled in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as military personnel and veterans severely injured in the normal performance of duties. $2 from each HeroBracelet or tag sold is donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund for this purpose.

Legacy.com/Soldiers.asp -  This section of the Legacy site is intended as a place to remember and honor American service members lost in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is a profile for each service member based on available information. Obituaries received from Legacy.com newspaper affiliates are also included. Information is updated daily. In addition, there is a Guest Book for each service member. All Guest Book entries are free and are posted after being reviewed for appropriate content.

Families United - Spotlighting what Americans are doing in support of our military. Has local chapters in several states. See homepage.

Lest They Be Forgotten - To create, establish and help maintain hometown memorials to our men and women who have lost their lives defending the United States of America in our war against terrorism.

American Heroes Tribute - To honor and celebrate American Heroes wherever they are, and to provide support for their families when needed.  From this focal point of honor and celebration we hope to generate good will, appreciation for the American experience, and unity in the national spirit.

Ohio Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park - A black granite wall will list the 3,095 Ohio natives that gave their lives during the Vietnam War. Bricks with the names of the service members from all wars and branches will pave the way to the center of the park. Throughout the park will be monuments, plaques, benches and stones of remembrance.

Wreaths Across America - What began in 1992 with a trailer load of wreaths, decorated by volunteers and laid at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery will now become a new mission to Remember - Honor - and Teach the value of freedom in the world today.

A Million Thanks - We are asking individuals, schools, churches, and businesses around the U.S. to participate by having their students, congregations, and customers write letters, cards, email messages, or prayer messages to our troops. We will forward your appreciation message to a service man or women either active duty or retired through our many contacts. Your messages will also be delivered to many USO’s and Veteran’s Hospitals for distribution.

Homes for Our Troops - Homes for Our Troops is a non-partisan, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides specially adapted homes for our severely injured service members. Through our growing network of monetary contributions, donations from building contractors, suppliers, corporate supporters and local volunteers, we are able to provide our assistance at no cost to the veterans that we serve.

Honor and Remember - To create, establish and promote a nationally recognized flag that would fly continuously as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. All Military lives lost not only in action but also in service, from our nation's inception.

Fallen Heroes Project - 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.

Operation Never Forget - To build portraiture memorial busts of every service member who has been killed in theatre in Iraq and Afghanistan.

National Resource Directory - A Web based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them.

Soldiers' Angels - Featured artist Susan Wiseman's music has touched hundreds of thousands of people, especially among the military and patriotic Americans who support them. Known as "The Tribute Lady," she has written a number of songs for individual deployed, wounded and fallen heroes, and the family members who stand behind them, including White Dresses (for Gold Star Mothers), and Unsung Heroes Life (for a wounded soldier and his wife).

Bugles Across America - In recognition of the service Veterans have provided their country, we feel that every Veteran deserved a live rendition of taps played by a live Bugler at their funeral.

Operation Homefront - Supporting our troops and helping the families they leave behind.

The Maine Military & Community Network - The MaineMCN is a collaborative effort by Maine organizations, volunteers, and others like YOU, to raise awareness about the challenges service members, veterans, and their families face. Across the state, Mainers are working together to help connect service and family members to resources in their communities. Together we can help ensure that no matter who a military service or family member turns to, he or she will find the assistance they need.

National Military Family Association - The National Military Family Association is an organization of military families. Spouses, parents, and family members make up our staff and board positions. We speak up on behalf of military families and empower husbands, wives, and children to understand and access their benefits. Based on what we hear from our members, we meet the needs of service members and their families with insightful recommendations, innovative programs, and grassroots efforts to better the quality of life for military families.

Welcome Back Veterans - Welcome Back Veterans was created to inspire Americans to give back to our returning veterans and their families. These heroes were there when we needed them--they served us all and kept us safe--and it's our turn to be there for them. WBV is committed to transforming the lives of our returning veterans by changing the way people think and talk about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while providing ongoing treatment for veterans and their families in addition to funding research.

Freeport Flag ladies - We commemorate the lives of the heroes of 9-11 and those who perished. Patriotic holidays find us decked out in red, white and blue either waving the flag on the hill or participating in a parade. We join the Maine Troop Greeters at Bangor International Airport and Pease International in New Hampshire to meet the troop flights. Packages are mailed out almost every week and wherever we go we are always on the lookout for a gift that might bring a smile to the face of a soldier; we send out packages for all the holidays not just Christmas.

Our mission is non-political. It is solely an act of love, gratitude and appreciation for the great sacrifices the men and women of the military have given to this nation throughout the ages. We honor and salute the heroes of the first line of defense at home - our fire, police and rescue workers as well as the men and women in the military.