I’ve mentioned before that I come from a pretty long line of military and war veterans. My grandfathers, various uncles, and my daddy were all soldiers.
Even my ex-husband, God bless him, was a Marine.
I’ve admired the Purple Hearts. I’ve sat through the 3 volley salutes. I’ve listened as Taps was played and once watched as the American flag was folded and presented to my grandmother. I remember when it was handed down to my mother. One day it will be passed down to me.
In time there will be others to keep it company.
Fortunately, none of the soldiers in my family died during military service, but that doesn’t mean that I – and all Americans – shouldn’t pause this Memorial Day to celebrate and remember the lives of the brave men and women who died protecting and serving our country.
However, once the cookouts, the parades, and the visits to the cemeteries are over, maybe you or someone you know would benefit from the following resources for people who have lost loved ones during service:
- Grief and Recovery Resources from USMemorialDay.org highlights resources and directories of resources.
- National Association for Society of Military Widow from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a non-chartered organization for military widows.
- Society of Military Widows has been serving the “interests of women whose husbands died while on active military duty, of a service-connected illness, or during disability or regular retirement from the armed forces” since 1968.
- Survivor Support Organizations from Military.com provides a list of resources and support for the difficult times of losing loved ones.
- Veterans and Combat Loss Resources from Griefnet.org offers a very extensive list of support resources available for veterans and their loved ones as well as the loved ones of the deceased. It covers all branches of the military.
- Operation Healthy Reunions (specifically Loss of A Family Member) from Mental Health America rounds up a number of support groups and services.
- Grief Support Groups for Military from Good Grief Resources highlights resources available for widows, siblings, and other survivors.
If you know of any other resources and support groups, or have a story you’d like to share, feel free to make use of the comments section below.
Otherwise, I wish you a Blessed Memorial Day.
Image: Newscom
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@ rachel – I’m so sorry for your loved one’s losses, and for the situation in which you’ve found yourself. I know you must feel lost and a bit helpless when faced with the need to comfort your loved one, but the loss of the right words to say.
I imagine it’s especially tough finding the right words for someone who’s lost friends during war. Unless we’re involved in the war as well, it’s not a situation we can specifically relate to. Death is tragic on any level, but it becomes even harder to help comfort someone when we haven’t seen the horrors of combat ourselves. What are the right things to say? To do? “I’m so sorry for your loss” seems more appropriate for someone who’s lost a parent to old age than for a loved one who’s lost a friend to a confusing and frustrating war.
The fact is, sometimes there are no right words to say. Sometimes the only thing we can do is be there for the person in any way we can.
Please check out the resources above. You may find people there who’ve experienced the same things you and your loved one are experiencing now, and can offer some words of wisdom from that experience.
I truly wish you and your loved one peace and solace.
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my loved one is in the military and he has lost a lot of his friends overseas this month and it is tearing him apart. i want to know how i can better be there for him and if there is anything i can say. i’m usually the one with all the good advice but this is uncharted territory for me.
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