“You are so brave and quiet I forget you are suffering” – Earnest Hemmingway
50 States in 30 days is a concerted effort by Raising Raiders to collaborate with multiple different charities, organizations and military caregivers to truly capitalize on the national attention currently focused on military caregivers since the release the RAND Corporation report on military caregivers.
Starting in May, in just 30 days, Raising Raiders Director, Olympia will drive to the 48 continental United States of America, flying to Alaska and Hawaii to meet with various organizations, military commanders, caregivers and service providers to create a greater understanding of this issue. She will be accompanied by, Snickle Fritz; an Afghan dog saved by a Marine Special Operations Team and brought to America with help from the Puppy Rescue Mission.
She will interview caregivers from WWII, Vietnam as well as OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) and OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom).
Military caregivers are not just wives of service members from OIF and OEF. They are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, children and husbands. They are Vietnam, Gulf, Korea and WWII veterans. What better way to truly identify with the broad cross section of individuals involved than to drive around America and listen to these stories first hand? Throughout this journey Olympia will speak with interviewees including Command Sgt Major of USSOCOM in Florida, Ariana Del Negro in Montana who was recently named a fellow at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Abigail Compton a wife, mother and caregiver in Virginia, among others.
The footage of these interviews and interactions will be turned into a full length documentary shown not only to the greater community but, more pointedly, to military commanders, congressmen and congresswomen.
The RAND corporation paper identifies there are sparse resources for caregivers. It is our hope with this documentary we can change not only the perception of who military caregivers are, but also how we can provide better support, programs and resources to truly meet their needs. Let’s keep the conversation going!
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About Raising Raiders
Raising Raiders is a grassroots nonprofit organization supporting Marine Special Operations families by helping them remain successful, despite their challenging lifestyle. These families strive through a constant 14 month deployment rotation and high operational tempo. Raising Raiders’ programs include: Kids Club, Flowers for the Fallen, and the Initiative; they are designed specifically to alleviate some of the stressors these families face day to day. In addition, Raising Raiders supports the service members by filling in the gaps where medical coverage cannot provide.
For more information visit Raising Raiders online www.raisingraiders.org or Facebook www.facebook.com/raisingraidersfund
Raising Raiders is actively fundraising to support the making of this film and to continue to support the families of Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC)
