Gold Star Father Attends Retreat, Thanks to Charitable Flights
Tragedy Strikes
Michael is a Veteran who lives in California. His only son, also named Michael, followed in his footsteps. The younger Michael joined the Marines and served in Iraq. However, tragedy soon struck.
“He was doing a clearing operation, going house to house,” said the older Michael. “He was ambushed in a gunfight - killed in action.”
The Fight's Just Beginning
Shortly after receiving the news, Michael fell into a deep depression and suffered from PTSD. Worse, he felt alone in his struggles.
“Gold Star Families are a very small community,” said Michael. “We have a lifetime membership to a club that none of us want to be a part of – paid for by the blood of our children.”
His son’s fight may have come to a sudden end, but Michael’s fight was just beginning. He knew that he needed to find a way to heal. But he had no idea where to start.
Hope For Healing... More Than 2,500 Miles Away
At a critical point, Michael found out about the Michael Strange Foundation. This nonprofit helps Gold Star families by hosting healing retreats.
There was just one problem: the retreat was being held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s almost 2,500 miles away from Michael’s home near Sacramento, California. How would he get there?
Charitable Flights from Angel Wings for Veterans
Angel Wings for Veterans, a program of Mercy Medical Angels, stepped in to help. They worked with Southwest Airlines to provide charitable round-trip flights.
“These gatherings allow me to share my son’s story,” said Michael, “but also to hear the stories from other families who have lost their children due to the ongoing global war on terrorism.”
“We come together to heal a small portion of our broken hearts.”
"These Gatherings Help Us Heal..."
When asked how Angel Wings for Veterans helped him, Michael answers with gratitude and relief.
“These gatherings help us heal the pain of sacrifice. I wouldn’t have been able to get to the Michael Strange Foundation retreat if it weren’t for Angel Wings for Veterans. Thank you!”
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