Survivors share love for fallen service members during annual event

Courtesy Photo | A dozen family members of fallen service members express their love for their departed warriors Feb. 13 during an event hosted by the Survivor Outreach Services branch of the Army Reserve’s 99th Regional Support Command at Ye Old Mill Street Pub in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The event was part of Operation: Love Letters, an annual celebration held near Valentine’s Day to honor fallen service members through fellowship with family and friends gathered together writing love letters, scripting poetry, creating greeting cards and sharing reminiscences.  

MAYS LANDING, NJ, UNITED STATES

02.17.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris 

99th Readiness Division

MAYS LANDING, N.J. – A dozen Survivors of fallen service members expressed their love for their departed warriors Feb. 12 during an event hosted by the Survivor Outreach Services branch of the Army Reserve’s 99th Regional Support Command.

The event was part of Operation: Love Letters, an annual celebration held near Valentine’s Day to honor fallen service members through fellowship with family and friends gathered together writing love letters, scripting poetry, creating greeting cards and sharing reminiscences.

“These events, whether it’s a luncheon or other SOS event, are good for Survivors to connect with one another,” explained Julie Kennedy, a contractor with Strategy and Management Services who serves as the SOS support coordinator for the Army Reserve’s 99th Regional Support Command. “They have the opportunity to share what they might not normally be able to share in an everyday situation.”

The event was sponsored by NJ Run for the Fallen and featured representatives from the New Jersey National Guard and Army Support Activity-Dix SOS programs.

“This was a strengthening of that bond that the Survivors are forming, and every time they meet ,it gets stronger,” said Joe Parisi, a contractor with Strategy and Management Services who serves as the SOS financial counselor for the 99th RSC.

SOS is an Army-wide program designed to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to survivors of deceased Soldiers. SOS ensures the Army fulfills its covenant with Survivors through a comprehensive program that improves Soldier and family preparedness in the event of a catastrophic loss.

SOS provides extended financial-counseling assistance and long-term support to surviving Family members, ensuring that surviving families’ concerns are addressed to the fullest extent available. The program also ensures Survivors receive all benefits to which they are entitled and encourages Survivors to remain an integral part of the Army Family for as long as they desire.

“In addition to connecting survivors to resources, the Survivor Outreach Services team does its best to create meaningful events that connect Survivors to one another,” Kennedy said.

For more information on the 99th RSC SOS program, call 609-562-7892 or e-mail [e-mail].

For more information on NJ Run for the Fallen, visit www.njrunforthefallen.org.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2015
• Date Posted: 02.17.2015 09:50
• Story ID: 154613
• Location: MAYS LANDING, NJ, US