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New foundation makes sure the memory of fallen soldiers is never forgotten
By Christine Vilar
Military.com Staff Writer
Expert climber and former Air Force pararescueman Marty Schmidt scaled
the 22,385 feet high mountain of Aconcagua, Argentina in honor of the foundation's efforts.
“You are not forgotten.” Dave Cruz and the members of the Honor the Fallen foundation want to shout this message from every mountaintop -- every mountaintop of the Seven Summits, to be exact. The Seven Summits (Everest, Aconagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson Massif, and the Carstensz Pyramid) have only been climbed by a select few. Through this great undertaking, Cruz and his colleague, expert climber Marty Schmidt, will honor the memory of all fallen U.S. troops, and make certain their legacy is never forgotten.
Dave Cruz started the Honor the Fallen foundation for families of fallen soldiers -- to create a support network and help provide grants to aid them through the process. He enlisted his good friend Marty Schmidt to help get the word out. Schmidt, who has already scaled all seven summits numerous times, just recently summited Aconcagua last January, in honor of the foundation's efforts. [Click here to see a video of Schmidt's message from the peak. "Climbing the world's tallest mountains”]
Cruz's ties to the Air Force, where he worked in pararescue, were the starting point for the birth of the foundation. However, the main inspiration was the tragic death of Jason Cunningham, an Air Force pararescueman who was killed in 2002 while serving in Afghanistan. Cruz was in touch with Cunningham's mother, and after talking with her realized that there is little assistance for the immediate families of fallen soldiers. “These families have no coverage -- siblings and parents have to fork out cash to travel to funeral,” explains Cruz. One of the main goals of the foundation is to offer grants to cover the unforeseen expenses of a servicemember's death.
In addition to the climbs, Honor the Fallen is assembling a series of quilt panels created by families of fallen soldiers. Eventually, these quilt panels will be joined to form a growing tribute to America's lost sons and daughters.
A quilt that was completed in two days for the Honor the Fallen foundation.
“Volunteers from all over the US are willing to help the families create quilts. We've received a great response from the community,” says Cruz. The process of making a quilt panel not only creates a lasting memorial to a family's lost loved one, it also becomes as a process of healing.
“Getting involved in the quilting process really helps,” says Cruz. “Each one is touched and thankful for the effort.” Cruz hopes that the complete quilt will be the first step in creating the first static memorial for the War on Terror.
So far, the foundation has raised over $10,000 selling Honor the Fallen bracelets that are available through their website. Bracelets have also been sent to Afghanistan to be distributed through Centcom. The foundation has also been invited to attend the Memorial Day TAPS conference in D.C., where Cruz and other members of the foundation will display quilt panels, which will hopefully motivate more families to get involved.
Response to the foundation's efforts have been positive so far, with numerous families volunteering to make quilt panels. The foundation even has its own song. Songwriter Sally Mudd, who composed the “Soldier Song” as a thank you to all servicemembers, also composed a song especially for fallen soldiers. Written specifically about Ruth Stonesifer, whose son was killed in Pakistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, the song is now the official theme for Honor the Fallen, and is played at each of the foundation's events.
Ruth Stonesifer, an experienced quilter and contributor of a panel, was touched by the sentiment in the song when she heard it for the first time.
“She told me the song was incredible -- she cried for 30 minutes,” says Cruz. “These are the stories that people are not hearing.” Cruz hopes that all the foundation's efforts will continue to provide support and comfort for the families of fallen soldiers, and spread the very important message that their sacrifice is not forgotten.
For more information about Honor the Fallen or to volunteer a quilt panel, visit www.honorthefallen.org.
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