Stories of Service

When war broke out in the Middle East, Stephen Deguire transferred immediately from the Navy Reserve to Air Force Reserve so he could serve as a Navigator. Yet on one mission as his jet spiraled over Baghdad Airport to avoid handheld missile launches, he knew something was wrong. Diagnosed with a reaction to Anthrax vaccination,

Colonel Dawn Lancaster, Commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, believes every fallen Hero deserves dignity, honor and respect. And so do their families who’ve given us the greatest sacrifice. “Part of my honoring them and caring for them,” she adds, “is caring for their family. Part of caring for that family is honoring their

Her sister, LCDR Jennette Greene, proudly followed in Commander Molly Water’s footsteps serving in U.S. Coast Guard. She was there to say good-bye during Molly’s final moments after a tragic accident. She was on the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw as Our hero was laid to rest in Lake Huron. And she helped make it possible

As a Korean War POW, Tom Caroland went 13 months without a bath or change of clothes. He ate “stuff you feed your cattle… sorghum tops, millet, anything like that, cracked corn, you were hungry.” They’d lay there, day after day “picking the lice off each other and trying to stay alive.” And he’d do

Russell Scott is 99, a WWII Army Air Corps Veteran and former POW. Earl Tatum is 94, and “still a Marine.” Together they’re truly inspiring, and we are honored to “tell all who enjoy freedom of the deeds and sacrifices required for freedom to flourish.”

“Don’t tell me what I think you’re going to tell me,” Deanie Dempsey said to her deployed husband. Gone for a year already, his war zone tour was about to be extended. And it was Deanie’s job as wife of the U.S. Army General to tell other spouses first. Together, they serve for us all.

Gina Hawkins is the first female Chief of Police in Fayetteville, NC — but the last to admit she takes any of it for granted. “I’ve had individuals pushing for me and probably didn’t know it. So my Service is finding the gifts in others because you never know how it will impact someone.”

After 4 long years as a Vietnam POW, Gail Kerns got off the aircraft on American soil “and kissed the ground,” says Army Major Don Androsky. “He was the only one who did it.” Like so many who served together for Our Country then, they were and always will be proud Americans. Watch their “homecoming”

Military spouses and families serve Our Country while their husbands, wives, dads and moms are serving too. Separated by a year-long tour of duty and thousands of miles, Veteran Danielle Rodriguez held the fort down while her husband was deployed in Korea. “There’s absolutely nothing I could have done without her support,” says Army Sgt.

Serving his country for over 30 years, retired Navy SEAL Jimmy Hintzke now runs his own business dedicated to assisting our nation’s active military and their families. His team’s handcrafted plaque at our Virginia Beach MISSION BBQ includes historical artifacts from the World Trade Center, the Berlin Wall and treasured mementos from fallen Heroes. “These