Happy Memorial Day.
Three simple words, and yet they mean so much more for so many people - especially to families who have lost a loved one in military service to our country. Because long after the hugs and handshakes. Long after ceremonies, funerals and burials. Long after all that stuff remains the memories. And it is on us to honor and remember those who gave their lives so we can safely live ours.
Quadratec is proud to accept donations at our Jeeps & Java events for The Michael Strange Foundation, an organization which strives to provide unconditional support and services to the families of recently fallen service members. Through the generosity of all those who have attended Jeeps & Java over the past 14 months, this foundation was able to recently hold a weekend healing seminar for 40 families who had a loved one killed in action.
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Late April in Ocean City, Maryland isn’t quite what you’d call vacation season. These days, around the end of May, is when the hotels, beaches – really just about everything in this northern Maryland town - starts filling up. But in April, the days still hold a slight chill laced with what seems like a never-ending ocean breeze.
And yet, to one group of families arriving in town for the April 21-23 weekend, none of that really matters. The weather, vacation; none of it.
Only the weekend does.
For this group, a 40-family strong collection of those who have lost an immediate family member during military action in either Afghanistan or Iraq, has come to Ocean City to help heal and talk with others who are in the same situation.
They are called Gold Star families. Charles Strange and his wife, Mary, are one as well. Their son Michael Strange lost his life during a nighttime raid into Taliban territory in Afghanistan August 6, 2011. Sometime after, Charles created The Michael Strange Foundation to help with his own grief as well as to assist others come to terms with theirs, through organized events and retreats.
That April weekend was a big one for the foundation, as Ocean City opened its doors for those 40 families to spend time together, while attending grief counseling and seminars.
The families pay nothing for the weekend. Everything is covered. Transportation, lodging, food, counseling. Everything. As it should be. The Michael Strange Foundation picks up all costs through generous donations from individuals and groups.
If you’ve been to a Quadratec Jeeps & Java event over the past 14 months, most likely you are one of those individuals as the company has collected donations at those gatherings for The Michael Strange Foundation since March 2016.
“We don’t require anyone to donate at Jeeps and Java as these events are simply a fun way to spend a Sunday morning with a bunch of fellow Jeep enthusiasts,” said Quadratec’s Cory Cole. “But these great people line up anyway to donate because they see what kind of organization this is, and how much their money can help.”
Charles Strange checks in at nearly every Jeeps & Java event and spends just about the entire time talking with everyone in attendance – letting them know about his organization. About his son. As well as thanking everyone who fills the donation box each month which, in part, makes events like the Ocean City April retreat for Gold Star families possible.
“We love the Jeep community,” he said during May’s event. “Last month, we had the 40 Gold Star parents down in Ocean City Maryland for some healing and a workshop. They all lost their sons in Iraq and Afghanistan. Killed in action.
“Thanks to everybody here and from Quadratec, we had a great weekend and through your contributions paid for the hotel, food, grief counseling – it was amazing. It really helped to meet other parents who are in the same boat as we are as Gold Stars to talk, cry, and help each other get through another day.
“Me and my wife want to thank all of you for your support. It was our biggest weekend for these families to know they are not alone, not going crazy.”
April's healing event won't be the foundation's last. Its noble mission is ongoing which is why each Jeeps & Java Sunday will continue to feature a donation box for the Michael Strange Foundation. For more info on Jeeps & Java, check out the event's page here and spend a Sunday morning with hundreds of your fellow Jeep enthusiasts if you are in the area.
