New Charity Honors Veterans by Caring for Military Dependents

Jason Main has been in the Navy for over seventeen years. In that time he has literally seen the world. Along with all of the culture and customs of foreign countries, Main has also seen war and its consequences.

In 2005 ten members of a Navy SEAL team he worked with were killed on a mission. In 2007 three of his teammates were killed by an IED while on a mission. He went to memorial services for all of these fallen warriors and was struck by the maturity and poise their children showed during what was likely the darkest hours of their young lives.

Having lost a parent to illness when he was a teen, Main knew just how quickly these children would have to grow up. And from watching them, he knew that they were all stepping up and taking on even bigger roles in their families voluntarily. As much as he was impressed by this, Main wanted to give these children a chance to just be kids again.

He and his wife, Donna, came up with the concept to send the children of our fallen service men and women to summer camp. Knowing that these children consider themselves contributors to their families’ well-being, the Mains drew up plans to cover 100% of the camp costs: everything from enrollment fees, to travel, to room and board.

Friends Never Forget was officially born in January of this year and so far they have sent three children to camp. Their goal for next summer is to send more than ten children to camps of their choice. The long term goal is for Friends Never Forget to open their own summer camp and invite every child whose family submits a request.

These are big goals and the Mains know it, but it all comes down to one simple premise: “brothers and sisters in arms take care of each other. That never stops,” says Jason. Having served as Ombudsman several times, Donna agrees. “In the military family is more than just mom and dad, brother and sister. It’s everyone in a unit along with their spouses and children. We try to live the credo ‘leave no man behind’ in everything we do and everyone we work with.”

This Veteran’s Day is the first for Friends Never Forget and the Mains are proud to have their organization up and running. While they honor Veterans past and present they are also honoring the people who make it possible for soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to do their jobs everyday: their families.

To learn more about Friends Never Forget visit their website at www.friendsneverforget.org.