healing & support

Cope with Losing A Loved One

Find Help for Yourself

When we lose a loved one in wartime it seems to be against the whole nature of things; we’re supposed to celebrate a 50th anniversary, outlive our children and grow up with our parents protecting us. Such losses can lead to feelings of abandonment or anger, in addition to deep sadness. And there is the additional sense of loss that comes with such challenges as having to move outside of the military community, taking children out of schools, finding oneself solely responsible for the family’s financial situation or being alone in old age. In such a turbulent time, it is important to remember that a grief shared is a grief halved. Many organizations can help. These include:

• American Gold Star Mothers
  
  
• Gold Star Wives of America
  
  
• The Soldiers Project
  
  
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
  
  
• American WWII Orphans Network
  
  
• The Find Resources for Soldiers & Families section of our website lists additional resources.
  

Dana Palmer (right), whose father was killed on September 11th is comforted by actress Caitlin Wachs, who shared Dana's goodbye letter to her dad on the 2002 Concert.

REFLECTIONS

"When I hear of the death of someone in the military, I know that it is more than the death of one person, it is the death of many people, of the family, and that no words are the right words. Wives, children, grandchildren's lives are apart, as in my family; there is a sadness that will linger for many years to come."

Tina M. Aden
MO