Honoring the families of those who serve and sacrifice every day
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Members of the military and first responders often don’t ask for a lot and don’t want to be in the spotlight. Personally, I spent 27 years in the Air Force and retired in 2019, and every time I’ve been at an event that asked military members and first responders to “stand to be recognized,” there is an introverted side of me that would prefer to fade into the background instead. It’s not that I’m shy or ashamed or anything else; it’s just not why I joined the military.
I know many others like me, who don’t feel the need for recognition, but also could really use some support, but don’t want to ask. It’s rooted in that same quiet humility that called us to serve to begin with. Even when military veterans and first responders don’t want to ask for help, it’s more important than ever to support them and their families, which is why I’m so proud to be part of Folds of Honor Indiana.
As you might have guessed from the name, Folds of Honor Indiana is a local arm of a national nonprofit organization, Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor Indiana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to rallying patriotic Americans and meeting sacrifice with hope through our scholarship programs. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and, more recently, first responders. The money can support scholarships from kindergarten through graduate school, including technical or trade school.
In 2023, Folds of Honor Indiana gave out more than $200,000 in scholarships in the state, providing hope and healing for these families. Then in 2024, our team reached a significant milestone, raising $500,000 to support family members of military and first responders. The money we raise goes directly to families in Indiana, and if we have any left over, we can support other families across the country. On average, we have 140 applicants each year, and we are doing our best to help each and every one of them.
One way we worked to advance our mission last year was by hosting the 12th Annual Patriot Gala on Nov. 1. We held the gala in downtown Indianapolis during one of the busiest weekends of the year – that’s right, we were just about a mile away from Lucas Oil Stadium right in the middle of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour. We were thrilled to see how many people showed up to celebrate an evening showcasing remarkable stories of service and sacrifice, with opportunities to support Indiana’s amazing military and first responder heroes and their families. We had a veteran-owned business experience and heard from Tiffany Eckert, a Gold Star wife who is using a Folds of Honor scholarship to get her own degree. Her children have also benefited from Folds of Honor scholarships. It was incredible to hear her story and the impact these funds have had on her entire family.
As we start the new year, I know most families of first responders and military wouldn’t want to ask for help, so it’s up to me and my team to do it for them. These are some of the most deserving people in our communities and we look forward to continuing to support them and their educational endeavors through the new year and beyond.
Mike Daggett is the Folds of Honor Indiana President and a U.S. Air Force Veteran.