It's a great organization; they are very caring and do wonderful job in supporting families of the fallen.
Being There Reaching Out has provided events for families of the fallen to come together and not only receive support during their time of loss and grieving but to bring together people so they know they are not alone. As a Gold Star Mother and board member I can say this organization has been a launchpad for many endeavors that support our military and their families as well as memorialize our fallen. They have been there in the most supportive, compassionate and respectful way. They are trustworthy and always have the interests of the families first. Volunteers are not paid for their time. This is all from the heart.
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I am a volunteer board member of Being There Reaching Out. I came to this group through losing my son LCPL Travis Wichlacz in Iraq in 2005. I have watched this group grow from a fledgling group of a few families that had lost a loved one to war to a much larger group with a larger purpose. This group brings together the families of the fallen. Whether it be a death in theater or at home through accidents and even suicide. Families can find comfort and healing. The group reaches out to spouses, parents, grand parents and healing events accommodate children, grand children, nephews, nieces. All those touched by the loss are invited. Through the comfort and healing, families have gone on to do great things for others in the fallen ones name. The networking has been phenomenal for spurring ideas of scholarships, golf outings, walks and other functions raising money to benefit others in our community and state.
Being There Reaching Out has provided events for families of the fallen to come together and not only receive support during their time of loss and grieving but to bring together people so they know they are not alone. As a Gold Star Mother and board member I can say this organization has been a launchpad for many endeavors that support our military and their families as well as memorialize our fallen. They have been there in the most supportive, compassionate and respectful way. They are trustworthy and always have the interests of the families first. Volunteers are not paid for their time. This is all from the heart.
This organization is amazing.... the love and support given to the families helps them to cope with the deep pain they are going through... I am honored to be on the board ...
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This organization provides a loving safe place that helps the families of the fallen on many levels.
The lifestyles and freedom we enjoy come at a heavy price. The children, wives, parents and families of the soldiers who fell here and abroad have a group and a place where they can be with others who share similar loss. We can't bring back the fallen, but we can try to help the families heal and cope. There is much love and appreciation for the families and the founder of this organization.
I have had the privilege to be a part of this organization for over 7 years now. It's extremely rewarding and the families have become part of mine. Despite their losses, they share a special part of themselves that no one can take away. Their loved one's made the ultimate sacrifice, and they are proud. They belong in a space of this country's gratitude, each and everyday.
This group is the meaning of "family not by blood." We all share a common bond, we have lost a loved one due to or in war. We are a unique group and its great to know others "get it" and we can grieve as needed. We meet up 2-3 times each year with different events and keep in touch through social media, texts, emails or calls.
The best group you never want to be a part of.
I have had the privilege to interact with this organization and the families that they serve; for the past years. The families are extremely inspiring. Through their experiences of tragic loss of their loved ones, they uplift themselves and others in similar circumstances, to memorialize and transform their painful losses into beautiful living legacy's of hope and meaning. Their hero's will always be known for their selfless service to our country and standing for our nations freedoms. The families provide support to one another, as they simultaneously, receive mutual support in good kind. It is amazing to watch the interactions of giving and receiving being a means for positive growth and transformation for the survivors and for us, as those that serve these precious families. The board members are of the most committed and talented servants imaginable. I am honored to humble assist them; when called to do so and blessed beyond measure to call them my friends.
Reverend Eva Overholt, Creative Ministry Center Brookfield, Wisconsin
This organization is leading the way in connecting families of our nation's fallen heroes together. Through personal experiences, this nonprofit demonstrates an overt sense of compassion that is unmatched. Never have I met such a fantastic group of people so willing to serve others.
Since my son was killed in Iraq they have been there for me. They kept me in the loop on up coming events and support for my wife and myself. They were there for me when my wife died two years after my son was killed. I can't really say enough about the good they do and the information they forward.
My sister was a veteran and spent much of her life serving in the military. When she tragically died in a house fire, along with her beautiful daughter of 16, my world was forever changed. One tries to find comfort anywhere and everywhere, and it was graciously offered from cards from strangers. After a little digging, I found the source of several cards and prayers from a little known nonprofit called Being There, Reaching Out, where people support people who have lost loved ones in military service. Even though my sister didn't die in action, her memory was considered just as precious and her service valued. I cannot say enough about this nonprofit and how wonderful it is. God bless them and all who have tragedy they must face.
Such an amazing group of people. This charity arranges gatherings, outings, and more, and provides help to the families of the Wisconsin fallen Military. It's such a great way for the families to work toward healing, while helping others at the same time.
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Having an organization that schedules events for those of us who have lost military family members is so much more important than I can even put into words. Having others around you who truly understand your feelings and can help you deal with them has been the most amazing gift. After the loss of my brother, my mom joined BT/RO. I never thought it would be something I was interested in, but I have found it to be the most amazing group of people I have ever met. Having group activities for the Gold Star families helps us in so many ways, and we are all able to talk about our loved ones in a way we can't always do on a regular basis. It's a sad way for such a wonderful group of people to come together, but I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.
Having lost my son from the results of Afaghinstan/Iraq war, The group has supported me and my husband with love and support!
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This group is about helping families of love ones that have been lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan War.
It is not just for the heros that died there, but for the heros here, who whether accident or self inflicted due to their PTSD.
We all need support and our group is some one who is willingly to listen and care.
We all suffer losses differently, but to know someone with similar experiences helps!
Hello. I've been SO BLESSED to be a part of this Mission of Love!! I've lost troops in the US (CONUS - Ft Hood and to suicide) and Overseas (OCONUS). They remain in my heart and prayers as do ALL the Families of the Fallen.
Please know that the troops who have served with your loved one, grieve too. Our Fallen are our Brothers and Sisters in Arms. We loved them and we mourn with you.
Please also know, we Serve because we really, really want to! I've been blessed to have served in 3 theatres of war. I may have been scared sometimes but I was never prouder than to serve for Our Country. That is why I'm Still in after 28.5 yrs. But, I'm still not the oldest in my Unit (smile!).
May God bless you all. Thank you for your sacrifice. Freedom is not free.
With love, LTC "Marge"
I have been involved with BTRO for many years. I have met the most incredible families who like their loved ones are my heros. They are just like all of us but with one thing in common. They have lost a large chunk of their hearts. I only hope I have been able to give them the opportunity to know that their loved one will never be fogotten and I will do everything I can to make sure there is someone to listen to and be there for them when they least expect it. I love these families as my own with all my heart. God Bless them all. Dorothy
I don't remember when or how our family originally connected with Judith, Joe, Dorothy and Marge, and it really doesn't matter, except that they 'gently' "Reached Out" and let our entire family know they were "There" for us when our son, LCPL Rich Warner, USMC, was killed in Iraq in 2004 and continue to Be There for us these past nine years. This group,based in Wisconsin, through opportunities and activities/meetings they provide, help us to heal the aching, gaping hole in our hearts from the losses of our loved ones. They don't push an agenda or ask for membership dues; they let you know you can share, laugh, grieve, or obtain help at one's own rhythm. They care; we care. They/we all have a special connection, a bond of a loss of a fallen family member; there is unconditional love, compassion, care, and support to entire extended family members. Through this group and all the activities they provide, friendships evolve. We have opportunities to reconnect, to decompress, to share, to laugh.
We can't always be at every event, but our entire family wouldn't want to miss our annual Families of the Fallen/ Being There-Reaching Out gatherings. We've had excellent speakers, great locations geared for families, activities (baseball, golf,making hats, bracelets, tours of Lambeau, camp outings,grief sessions, etc.), meals, raffle items. We have a network of support groups, people who care, such as The Safe House in downtown Milwaukee, Kapco of Grafton, Wi; Dry Hootch in Milwaukee, WI that assists our veterans, the Patriot Riders and many more. We look forward to a Fisher House of WI being built at Clement Zablocki VA Center; the same VA center where we have our annual "Walk for the Fallen" in August.
We are so fortunate to have this group touch our lives. Our veterans of past conflicts, especially the Vietnam War, did not have the opportunities we have with Being There-Reaching Out. Like our sons, daughters, husbands,wives, brother, sister, grandchild, aunt, or uncle who "gave their all", who have made a difference in the lives and places of the less fortunate, Being There-Reaching Out also makes a difference to each and every one of us. We thank them.
It seems unbelievable that our son, Samuel, left for recruit training 11 years ago! Tragically, he died there at MCRD in San Diego, CA only 39 days later. Our oldest son, Steven was already serving active duty in the Marines. He was preparing for deployment. Sam's sudden death was an icy and shocking wake up call to the realities of "the ultimate sacrifice". We were terrified of losing both of our sons. Thankfully, Steve was relocated to a base in the States, fulfilled his commitment and returned home...
....Five years after Sam's death I learned about BT RO from another Gold Star mom from Kenosha. She got me in touch with Judith. A week or so later my husband and I were attending our first BT RO gathering in Appleton, WI. I remember seeing the Patriot Guard Riders on the sidewalk holding American flags as the families entered. I cannot put into words how solemn, respectful, meaningful, inspiring, touching and thoughtful every aspect of that weekend was. The hugs were as plentiful as my tears! We met other families grieving their loved ones and instantly felt a bond...
Judith, Joe and the Board Members and volunteers give so much time, energy and compassion to this organization! Not to mention the donors and behind the scenes people all giving for a worthy endeavor.
Thank you for the years of love and caring!
Being There Reaching Out (BT-RO) is an exceptional organization that supports the WI families of our Fallen Military Heroes. No one wants to be a part of the group, but once your loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice, you are so glad Being There Reaching Out is there to support you. I became involved after my brother, SSG Andrew Bossert was killed in Ramadi, Iraq on March 7, 2005. I was able to meet other people who could understand what I was going through and feeling. BT-RO organizes events throughout the year to gather the families together to allow them to mourn their loved one, cry, laugh or whatever the person needs. Parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and beyond are supported in their grief through Being There Reaching Out. It is such a special place for the families to be to feel safe and to feel understood and be able to mourn openly and everyone is there to support. Unfortunately the group has grown due to the increasing deaths from the war or due to the war. We all share a very special bond that connects us and Being There Reaching Out has allowed that.
Well 1st let me say, this is no ordinary non profit group. This group was created for all the reasons you don't want to be part of any group whatever, and it is certainly not a group that I thought I would ever be part. This group offers more than support to families that have lost loved ones due to the conflict of War.
This group does not only offer support but it offers the one thing that is free, LOVE and Compassion and we are all for the same reason. We all lost someone due to this conflict of War. War that has been around for many many years. I love when we can all get together and bond as a family, a much bigger family than you could ever imagine. We all come from different walks of life and different areas in Wisconsin. When we are together you can not only see the love but you feel it. Every time my boys and I leave an event we talk about the people we have met the stories we have shared with each other and we go home stronger. The board members are beautiful people inside and out. The compassion they show the love the give is like no other you will receive anywhere else. I wish that I was not a member for the reasons I am, but I am proud to have met such wonderful people that I will know the rest of my life. ~ Peggy Naseman
Being there reaching out briefly discribes what this organization is about, but it is so much more. It brings together families that share the terrible experince of loosing a loved one in the service of our country. I lost a son who was killed in action in Afgahnistan in 2011 and had deep feelings of guilt and depression, but with the contacts I made through this caring organization I was no longer alone and could share my feelings with other parents of lost children. Judith, who is the head of this organization pours out her soul to all of us in her effort to bring healing to us as if we were part of her family.
I have formed many lasting relations not only with other family members who have lost loved one, but I am able to reach out to so many Vets and active military because of what I have learned about living with the loss of a loved one. It is all because of this organization I have the strength to reach out to others.
Richard R
I lost my oldest son Ryan in August of 06. He was Killed outside of Tikrit Iraq. Our family was devistated, Ryan who had just been home two months earlier and was two weeks from returning home left a unfillable hole in the hearts of his family. Being There Reaching Out offered me a place that I didn't have to explaine how I felt and gave me hugs and love that was second to none. I have developed great friendships in this group that no one ever wanted to join but now that we are a part of it .......would never want to be apart from the wonderful people and honor that this orginization brings to our families.
After 7 years I consider these families part of my own family. Judith Singer and her board of directors put their hearts and souls into everything they plan for us. I know that with the right funding and help from others that care about our families this orginization is on its way to being the best families of the fallen orginizaiton in any state. I wish that every state had a BTRO that they could be a part of.
A truely special orginizaiton with people that care about us and love us right where we are.....and sometimes that is not a very happy place to be.
I would urge any family member that has lost someone that served in the Military either KIA - DIS - or because of the open wounds from WAR - to join us in this orginizaiton to be lifted from the pit of hell with loving and caring arms of people who know what it feels like to SACRIFICE!
My son was killed in action on 01-12-2008,
since that time I have had nothing but continued support from the organization
listed
Judith Singer an the other women an men who work thru this program
reach out an touch everyone in need of support ,love, an guidance
From programs like WALK FOR THE FALLEN
to special events
I would continue on but I am just amazed at their hard work an effort to go out of their way
PEACE AN LOVE TO ALL IN THIS ORGANIZATION
Cynthia M. Allam
mother of
Private Keith E. Lloyd
KIA JAN 12-2008
ROUGH RIDERS FORT HOOD TEXAS ONE OF THE BEST
AMEN :)
Being There Reaching Out is a Wisconsin group formed for families of Wisconsin Fallen Heroes. This is an amazing group that no one wants to be part of. As a group we share our loss of our heroes together and no one judges us. We are all in the same boat. Its a group I am so glad I found and so glad to be a part of. I am so thankful for all of them to help us on the journey of love and loss.
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I am a member of Being There Reaching Out and it is the most wonderful organization. I lost my son to the war in Iraq and they have helped with the pain of losing a child. We gather to share our pain, memories, and most of all being there for each other. This is a group no one wants to be a part of but once you are they are family. The group helps everyone deal with the pain of losing a loved one to war. We are all at different stages of our grief but somehow never having met each other prior to this we have become friends. Our goal is to have our loss never be forgotten, because having paid the ultimate sacrifice is something we live with each and everyday and this organization is there for us.
Being there-reaching out has been a great experience for my wife and I. We are part of the organization which you don't want to be member as a Gold Star parent. We lost our Son in Iraq in 2005. The loss has been a big hole in our lives. BT-RO has given us hope thru supporting all the Gold Star families, weather you are a parent, spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grandparent. BT-RO gives us the support and helps open up to share our issues and grief. All the members embrace our ups and downs and can relate to our issues. We can lift each other up at times. The leadership is excellent and treat all the membership with the upmost respect.
Don and Kate Jansky
We have been a member for three years.Our experience with BT/RO has been very heartfelt. Even though our son was killed on leave in a car accident here at home, this group has helped us deal with the loss of our son and also connected us with others going through the same pain. I thank this group a million times over for all the help they have given us. My husband who has a hard time talking to others has done a great job with this group, it has helped him very much. I could go on forever on what this group means to us, just want them to know they are our back bone.. Love to all if them and they really dont get enough credit for what they do... Thanks Lori and Scott
Shortly after our son, CPL Stephen W. Castner, was killed in Iraq in July of 2006, we were invited to join BT-RO. I cannot put into words what the various associations with others who have lost their sons and daughters has meant to us. When I meet them, I know that they know exactly what I an feeling. I don't have to explain anything to them. They know. I cannot overlook the tremendous effort that Judith Singer has put into this organization. She started it, and she is the motivating force behind the activities. We all owe Judith more than a huge thank you. I am honored to count her as a true friend as a direct result of my association with this organization. This organization is unique. It has helped me move a few steps closer to accepting my son's death.
I have been a member of Being There Reaching Out for ten years now, since my step-son was killed in Iraq. Since he was only the fourth Wisconsin soldier killed in Iraq, BTRO has been a big part of our healing for ten years. Every year Judith Singer, one of the original founders, flawlessly, and seemingly effortlessly, organizes the most thoughtful and meaningful events for the Families of the Fallen.
Judith has quietly amassed an army of volunteers and people who show up at our events to support us and help us in any way they can. It has been wonderful to see how people with ties to the military help each other. And we help others, as evidenced by the fledgling Fischer House, which is being built on the Milwaukee VA grounds, as well as Dry Hootch coffee shops which service Veterans with PTSD.
There are just so many wonderful people who have touched our lives because of BTRO, including Joe Campbell, one of the founding members, and Dorothy Moore, our President. Joe knows many Vietnam era Veterans, and Dorothy knows many in state and local government, and the support for the families who have experienced terrible tragedies really helps to heal us.
BTRO makes a difference every single day.
Being a member of BTRO has been a very healing time for me. To see these families connect and be able to talk to people who have been there makes all the gatherings so worth being a part of. BTRO is not just an organization it is a family in every way possible. You can just feel the love when everyone Is together. Like I said earlier we are FAMILY
I thought this group was just for parents. They coordinators lovingly pursued me and my son and welcomed us into the group with loving arms. We have been attending gatherings regularly in the past year and are incredibly grateful for their ability to meet us where we are. I feel we have permission to connect as much or as little as we want to without pressure. I still don't know how they found us (or how we found them) but I'm so glad that we did.
Three years ago our grandson, SPC Chad D. Coleman was KIA in Afghanistan. For the 1st year after his death we tried to get through the darkest hours of our lives and we were not successful. We did hear about Being There Reaching Out but declined to attend the 1st year and then we realized that we had to find a way to deal with this tragedy. We decided to attend our 1st Being There Reaching Out in the spring of 2012. The moment we arrived we knew this was the place for us. Everyone was just like us trying to find some comfort and a way to continue on. We most certainly found it there. The people who run B.T.R.O. are the greatest, always comforting, offering advise and ways to cope and the families who attend are more than willing to help you through the dark hours. All events are so well planned, including special things for the little ones, different activities that appeal to everyone and best of all people willing to listen to your story. Every fallen soldier is honored in so many ways and every story is unique. This has been our lifeline and we wouldn't trade our experiences for the world. We will always attend their events because it brings us peace, comfort and the will to go on. Hats off to the men and women from B.T.R.O. & thanks for all you do..Dale & Mary Coleman
Our Vietnam Veterans chapter has been working with Being There Reaching Out for the past 4 years to help them financially with the great work that they do for the Gold Star families. To see the help and support they give to the families through a variety of means makes us want to be able to do even more. Bringing the Gold Star families together helps them work through their loss and gets them in touch with others who have experienced the same loss. I wish there had been a similar organization in the 1960's and 1970's to help the families of some friends I lost so they would not have felt so alone.
Being There - Reaching Out provides Compassion, Understanding, Listening and Love to our Families of our Fallen Military. Being a Vietnam Veteran, I have learned that it is sharing our experiences and our hope with the living keeps the spirits of my Brother & sister who gave thier all for my Freedom. Being There Reaching Out allows the families to be together with thier sorrows as well as with thier hope. Truly a Blessing shared.
My husband and I are members of Being There Reaching Out, and have been welcomed with open arms. We lost our youngest son in Iraq on July 15, 2008. Even though he was born and raised in South Dakota, Wisconsin claims him as one of her own, since we live here. This is a wonderful group of folks. We lean on each other since we've been through the same thing.
I experienced this organization first-hand for the first time on November 7, 2009, when I went to the Safe House Restaurant to see the unveiling of the Wall of Honor. I was immediately deeply touched by the caring, loving, supportive atmosphere. It was palpable as I entered the room. I knew right away that this is a vitally important organization, one that provides a safe, caring, understanding haven for families and friends of fallen loved ones. A place where they can be with other people who know the inexplicable, never-ending, horrific pain of this kind of loss. I can't imagine. I think about how hard every day must be and how it goes on and on. Loss is a profound experience, one that I believe we need to share with those who personally understand the particular kind of loss we are living. And when it comes from war, and a war one may not believe in, wow!! Being There Reaching Out is the place families and friends can find that kind of understanding, that kind of special love, that makes a huge difference in their struggle to heal!!
We lost our son, LT Tyler Peterson, in an automobile accident while he was serving our country. Never once did BTRO differentiate between our loss and that of a family who lost a loved one in combat. It has been almost 16 months and we struggle daily with our loss. We can not begin to describe the support and love that is shared by everyone. The BTRO organization, while small in numbers, does the work of many. We are hopeful that one day we will be able to pay forward the support that we've received and can only hope this organization is still going strong.
In all my connections with this organization I've had nothing but professional treatment from them. Before being asked to be on their board I watched them in their caring ways help the families of those service people from Wisconsin who gave of their lives for our nation. They stand on the top of my lists of people helping the veterans of the United States.
Loosing a child is undefinitive. Loosing a loved one while they are in the military and serving or have served is in another category. When words cannot help, being with someone who "knows" the depths of emotions is like circling the wagons. 2004 we lost our Marine hero PFC Andrew J McFall Halverson and 6 months later accidently walked into a BTRO gathering, and have been involved ever since. Through BTRO and the heartfelt effort of their founders; Our heros are honored and remembered. which is one of my concerns...I will never forget Andrew's sacrifice..but what about our Country and those he went to defend. The families are given opportunities to share the story of our hero and have someone to listen without judgement or looking at their time piece. It is nice to know that God puts people into our lives to be an extension of his arms. I Thank God for BTRO.
I took part in a walk/run fund raiser they had last summer. A number of families who lost a loved one were there. I can't image loosing my son in Iraq or Afghanistan, but if something was to happen I would hope Being There Reaching Out would be there for me. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for what you do.
My experience with volunteering with BTRO is over the top heart warming and at the same time heart wrenching. These families have found one another only through the efforts of this organization. The families are neatly organized to come together at least quarterly. Age appropriate activities are carefully planned for young and old. Details for gatherings and fund raising are carefully thought out and taken care of so families can simply come together and share. BTRO was created out of insight, empathy and hard work. The organizational roots are firmly planted. With families becoming more involved and educated, they become active on the board and stronger within the organization. The families are now 'reaching out and are being there' for the new families in that are losing loved ones in the war. This is a very fine organization that has become an extended family and for some the only family that understands.