Card, program aids Fort Rucker SOS Families

By Emily Brainard, Army Flier StaffJune 24, 2010

Card, program aids Fort Rucker SOS Families
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- After servicemembers' untimely deaths, officials here want their surviving relatives to know they are still part of the military Family.

One way Fort Rucker Survivor Outreach Services staff continues this relationship is through the Never Forgotten Cards, introduced to fallen armed forces members' parents, widows, widowers, children and siblings last week.

Cards are free for Family members whose loved ones died while on an active-duty status in any U.S. military branch or of a service-connected disability. Children and siblings must be 18 years or younger to receive cards, said Beth Gunter, SOS financial counselor.

Applications are located in Bldg. 5700, Rm. 390, and individuals must have their photographs taken for cards to be printed.

"We are trying to let survivors know they are still part of the military Family," said Gunter. "Army and Air Force Exchange Services and (Directorate of Family and) Morale, Welfare and Recreation (staff) appreciates them and their sacrifices."

The new cards offer survivors a variety of benefits at installation facilities, including free child care and discounts at the physical fitness facilities, golf course, Lemon Lot, Arts and Crafts Center, Leisure Travel Services, Outdoor Recreation and other departments, she said.

Some facilities require patrons to present valid military IDs in addition to the Never Forgotten Cards to utilize services.

While Fort Rucker is the only installation in the Army currently accepting Never Forgotten Cards, Gunter said she is disseminating program information to other local military bases for their leaders' consideration.

The first Family member to pick up her Never Forgotten Card last week was widow Fredda Jones. She said she has three sons - ages 3, 5 and 7 - who are all budding athletes, and especially love bowling at Rucker Lanes.

"We can go out and play more sports," she said. "We can do more Family things together."

Jones now resides in Enterprise, and said her life changed dramatically June 21, 2009 - the day her husband was killed in action in Afghanistan.

While nothing can ease the pain or loss, knowing the Army honors her Family through the Never Forgotten Card helps Jones and her children find a new normal, she said. Jones encourages other survivors to apply for the cards and continue their relationships with the military, noting the new benefits mean she and her boys can visit Fort Rucker more frequently.

"Do it. It's helping the community and others in our situation," Jones said.

In keeping with their commitment to aid surviving Families, SOS staff also recently introduced a new mentorship program, Survivor to Survivor. It pairs those individuals of recently fallen loved ones with survivors who have had more time to grieve.

Volunteering as mentors or signing up to receive mentoring is completely voluntary for SOS patrons, Gunter said.

Establishing relationships between Family members with similar experiences helps some through their grieving processes, said Liz Legieza, SOS support coordinator.

"They have a unique understanding and empathy for survivors," Gunter said.

When casualty assistance officers begin working with Families of recently deceased Soldiers, they educate the individuals about the Survivor to Survivor program, and give them SOS staff's contact information if they wish to use the service, she said, noting about four Family members have signed up within the past month.

Gunter added that people wishing to become mentors must have been survivors for at least one year and be ready to take on the responsibilities of sharing other people's grief.

"For some, it helps them (to know) that something positive can come of the death of their loved one," she said.

For more information on SOS, Never Forgotten Cards or Survivor to Survivor, call 255-9637 or 255-9639.