FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. The stories of sacrifice that are gathered in these pages are just a few examples of the price that some Americans pay for our freedom and security. One of my priorities is to honor individuals—and their families—who have sacrificed to protect the United States.

Military personnel and first responders can routinely find themselves in tragic and violent situations as part of their work. The unique circumstances of that work can make it challenging to transition back to civilian life and, for some people, can lead to physical and emotional struggles that put people at risk of isolation, despair, and even suicide.

The men and women who put their lives on the line for this country deserve our very best efforts. The organizations listed below honor some of our fallen heroes and provide support for active service members, their families, veterans, and law enforcement personnel.

Please consider supporting their work in any way that you can. If you are a veteran in need, I encourage you to reach out to any of these organizations for support or as a starting point to finding other help. You are not alone.

14TH HOUR FOUNDATION

https://14thhourfoundation.nationbuilder.com/

I helped found the 14th Hour Foundation to honor and support veterans, first responders, military contractor personnel, and the families of those who have served and sacrificed to protect the American homeland. These individuals and their families often have unexpected needs in the months and years following a related injury or death that government programs do not cover. The fund provides honor grants to these individuals and their immediate families when they need them and to other charitable organizations that provide veteran support services and promote awareness of these needs.

ARMY RANGER LEAD THE WAY FUND

leadthewayfund.org

The Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund works directly with the US Special Operations Care Coalition to address and support the ongoing needs of Army Rangers and their families beyond what the government can offer.

THE GLEN DOHERTY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

www.glendohertyfoundation.org

The Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation was established to honor Bub by assisting current and former special operations professionals and their families with the transition to civilian life by supporting educational and recreational opportunities for service members and their families.

THE TYRONE SNOWDEN WOODS WRESTLING FOUNDATION

www.tyronewoodswrestlingfoundation.org

Tyrone Woods was a champion high school wrestler for Oregon City High School and a state champion of the Oregon State Wrestling Association in 1989. This foundation honors Rone by providing financial, educational, and charitable support to high school wrestlers and wrestling programs in Oregon.

OPERATION VETERAN OUTDOORS

Operationveteranoutdoors.com

Israel Matos, whom you read about in this book, is the president of Operation Veteran Outdoors (OVO). Based in Florida, OVO helps veterans cope with their combat-related injuries and PTSD by organizing events where those veterans can interact with other warriors who have been through similar life experiences and injuries. OVO gives these warriors the opportunity to express themselves among their peers and share the camaraderie that they experienced while in the service. OVO also connects these veterans to other resources and programs as appropriate.

PJ PARARESCUE FOUNDATION

www.pararescuefoundation.org

I’m always surprised that more people don’t know about the pararescue community. These warriors are uniquely trained to recover isolated and injured people in hazardous conditions, provide emergency medical care, and bring them home. This is the only organization that is exclusively devoted to supporting and addressing the needs of US Air Force pararescue and combat rescue officer service members, veterans, and their families.

SGT RYAN E. DOLTZ MEMORIAL FOUNDATION INC

rememberingryan.org

The Doltz family established this foundation to honor the memory of the late Sergeant Ryan Doltz, whom you read about in this book. The foundation makes donations to military families in need of assistance and to other organizations that provide services to military families. It has established scholarships in Ryan’s name at the Virginia Military Institute and at Dover High School, Ryan’s alma mater; a scholarship for a college-bound student from Morris County, New Jersey; and a scholarship for the education of a member or dependent of the New Jersey National Guard.

THE UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO)

www.uso.org

The USO has been providing resources, programs, and entertainment to service members, veterans, and their families since World War II. Today, it provides services at 160 locations around the world. Many people think that the USO is a government agency because it works closely with the Department of Defense, but it is a nonprofit, charitable corporation established by Congress that relies on volunteers and private donations. The USO plays an important role in keeping service members connected to their families. After September 11, 2012, I was flown from Benghazi to Tripoli and then to Germany with not much more than the clothes on my back. The USO took very good care of me.

SFC Alwyn C. Cashe Deserves the Medal of Honor

facebook.com/groups/264150296957437

I encourage you to visit Harry Conner’s public Facebook page devoted to Alwyn Cashe. The site is not a fund-raiser, but it is dedicated to SFC Cashe’s memory. You can read more here about Sergeant Cashe’s life, as well as support and monitor the efforts being made to secure the Medal of Honor for his selfless sacrifice.