Through donations and fundraising, Friends Never Forget Inc. A 501 c3 foundation sponsors children of our fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to summer camps throughout the United States, to include cost of camp, travel to and from camp, lodging and meals. This allows no out of pocket expense for the parents or guardians of these children.
We are grateful for any and all donations that we receive. It is the intention of Friends Never Forget to return as much of our donations to the actual cause of sending children of fallen heroes to camp.
We do this by keeping our overhead low and many of our staff and friends have donated their time or talents to do this. You can donate by sending a check to our address or clicking on the PayPal button at the top of the page.
Mail checks made payable to:
Friends Never Forget
PO Box 2709
Orange Park, FL 32067
Kick off poker run - April 6, 2013
1100 AM at ADAMAC Harley, 8909 Baymeadows Blvd, Jacksonville FL. Last bike out at 1PM $15.00 a hand $10.00 for passengers.
Run for the Heroes 5k - May 11, 2013
We are organizing a 5k fun in Orange Park, FL to raise awareness and money for Friends Never Forget. Learn more at runfortheheroes.org.
Apple Blossom Festival - May 18, 2013
Come see us at the Apple Blossom Festival in Westford, MA. We'll be joined again this year by members of the 501st Legion, the offical Star Wars costume group.
PFC Eric Currier Memorial Ride - June 2, 2013
We are helping to organize and raise awareness of a memorial motorcycle ride in Methuen, MA. Learn more at pfcericcurrier.org.
3rd Annual Gala with Joey Voices - June 22, 2013
Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center 219 Littleton Road Westford, MA.
Tickets will be $45.00 each, more information coming soon.
While I have served on many continents and situations, it was not until my tour at Naval Special Warfare that I began to realize the selflessness of this community. In 2005 the community of mostly quiet professionals came together for a show of support that I have never seen in my career.
On June 28, 2005, Operation Redwing took the lives of ten Navy Seals. While I was not on the ground in Afghanistan on that day, I had the honor of meeting those guys before they left on that deployment and had spent some time training with them. I watched that day as the families were notified. Children were told that their fathers died heroes; wives told their loved ones were brave men and died doing what they loved. Later that week I was present at the memorial for the fallen. It was here I watched the small children of these brave men stand tall for their family. These children would stay in the forefront of my mind for many years do come.
In July 2007, I was halfway through a deployment to Iraq when tragedy struck my own family and I was called home on emergency leave. The night before I left country, I was sitting with my teammate, Jason Lewis, who assured me that they would be fine and that they would be there when I got back. He told me he would take my seat while I went home to tend to my family. On July 6, 2007, Jason, along with Steven Daugherty and Robert McRill were killed by an IED while conducting an operation. A week later, I attended their memorial service and watched their children stand tall for their families. I continued to think of these children, the way they are forced by circumstances to grow up so early and how they simply need the chance to be kids and enjoy their childhoods.
In 2008, while assigned to the USS Stephen W. Groves FFG-29, I was speaking with a fellow shipmate who told me how his son had had such a great time at summer camp that year. Right there, it all clicked. I began to look into how we could send the children of fallen heroes to summer camp.
In December of 2010, along with my wife, I approached two very close friends, Heather Fagans and Arturo Vasquez, with my idea. Without hesitation, these two amazing people who have never served in the military, but who have always supported me and my family, said "We can do this!"
Friends Never Forget was founded with love for our country, love for our friends and love for our military, which has given me both brothers and sisters in arms and friends. I have made several tours of combat in Somalia, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan among other places. I was always taught that you only have your team so you have to take care of them. This is why I feel it is my calling and duty to continue this culture of caring for the families that have given so much to this country.
Friends Never Forget
P.O. Box 2709
Orange Park Fl 32067
Phone: +1-904-312-1913
Fax: +1-904-683-6150
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© Friends Never Forget 2012
