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Testimonials
Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn
 "The war on terrorism has taken the lives of countless men and women and left others struggling with severe physical and mental health problems. I commend For the Fallen and their efforts to alleviate the financial strain that takes a toll on so many of our brave men and women and their families."
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Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Dr. David S.C. Chu
 "Since February 1, 2005, the Department's Military Severely Injured Center has supported Service members who have been severely injured in the war on terror. We have been working hard to support their families. We realize the important role nonprofit organizations play in caring for the severely injured. The myriad services that your volunteers provide contribute significantly to the recovery process of the severely injured. Often, financial assistance, transportation, housing, family and other community services would not have been possible without your support.
Our severely injured personnel and their families know that America cares about their sacrifices. Thank you for your continued support of our nation's heroes."
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Spc. Jason and Latoka Thomas received $4,500 from For the Fallen to cover expenses that they are unable to afford as Jason recovers from wounds suffered as a result of an IED explosion
 "Jason and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the gracious grant you have given us. It is so nice to know there are people out there like you who have given your time and money to make sure our soldiers and their families are taken care of in their time of need. Because of your much needed help, Jason and I are able to concentrate on his care and him getting better and not on how we are going to be paying bills or have the food for the table. I am so thankful for all you have done for my family, there just aren't words to describe how much we appreciate this. We are filled with so much joy knowing that the American public does care about our Military Members and their families. Thank you so much. I wish there were more we could say to thank you. Know that God answered our prayer and it was in the form of For the Fallen."
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Army Sergeant First Class Justin Kautz and his family received $4,000 from For the Fallen to cover living expenses as Kautz recovers from wounds suffered as a result of an IED explosion
"Our entire family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the men and women of For the Fallen who have made this all possible. Words of thanks and gratitude will never be enough for what your organization is doing for our fallen and wounded heroes of America’s War on Terrorism. Many brave men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice and your organization is reaching out to those in need. This grant will help us tremendously! The past few months have been very stressful and trying on us as we transition from military service. Learning to deal with the loss of a limb, physical rehabilitation, and concerns on how finances will be covered from month to month, have almost taken their toll. Your organization has given us new light and the ability to focus on other matters. Once again, we thank you very much for all you have done for us. God bless each and every one of you, our troops, and America."
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Rene Fernandez's family received $3,123.90 from For the Fallen to cover three months of a mortgage payment that they were unable to afford as Rene recovers from wounds suffered as a result of an IED explosion. His wife Jamie writes to us:
 "I would like to thank you for the financial help you have provided for my family. My husband was injured in Iraq in April of 2004 by an IED, and he suffered a brain injury as well as other injuries. Rene was medically retired from the Army in March of this year, and we were not sure how we were going to manage our bills for the first few months that we had to transition out of the Army and into the civilian world. We were truly blessed by you in helping us pay the first three months of our mortgage. It has helped us get back on our feet without the added stress of a house payment. Now we have been able to get income and our VA benefits should be here in a few days, just in time to start doing it on our own. We greatly appreciate your help and gratitude for what my husband contributed to our country and our freedom."
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Kevin and Sandy Cawvey, parents of Jessica Cawvey who was killed in action on October 6, 2004, and recipients of a $1,350 grant for their granddaughter Sierra
"The Cawvey family appreciates the assistance that For the Fallen has given us. This grant helps us insure that Jessica's daughter, Sierra, will receive one of the best educations that is available in the area. The main reason that Jessica joined the National Guard was to help her to get a good education, and to insure that she could also get the best education for her daughter. As a single parent, Jessica had a great responsibility and was doing what she needed to do to provide for herself and her daughter. May God bless you all, and the organization For The Fallen. You are doing great things."
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U.S. Army Spc. Gabe Garriga, who survived a 1 in 100 chance of living after being injured in Iraq, and whose family received $2,800 from For the Fallen
"I just want to let you know that we deeply are in debt to you for helping us financially while we are here. We truly appreciate it beyond anything thing that I can explain."
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Daniel Rhodes, Corporal, USMC
 "Our country is still very much at war and every day more and more men and women are selflessly paying the ultimate sacrifice for their country, neighbors, families and friends. They are laying down their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we so often overlook as we become wrapped up in our day to day lives. It is so easy to become discouraged by the daily political rhetoric we see in the media and conversations that spring up every time we loose another soldier. Instead of standing by and waiting, For the Fallen has actively sought to ease the burden of those who have suffered.
"What most people don’t realize is that the families and friends of those overseas are going through a terribly difficult time not knowing what is happening to those they love and hold so dear. The hard times don’t cease when the news comes back that their loved ones are not coming home. It just gets harder, and life will never be the same for them. There are wives now without husbands, husbands without wives, children without parents, brothers without sisters, and on an on. It is not a one time sacrifice when a soldier dies, the sacrifice is carried out every day back home. Each day they are reminded of their pains when the news comes on, on holidays when their loved one will never again join them, when the bills come in the mail and they are scrambling to find a way to make ends meet. The pain is much more than the realization that they are not there. The families want answers, they want to know why, they want to live and be like everyone else around them. It will never be the same for them. For those of us back home wondering if there is anything we can do to help, For the Fallen offers an opportunity to finally make a difference.
"I believe that a lot of prayers are being answered when people come together to give back to their neighbors who must now cope with such great losses. I hope that For the Fallen will grow and be able to make an impact on many people’s lives. It raises awareness and reminds us that whatever we are able to give will go a long way.
"There are a lot of things in the world today that we, in the average American home, are isolated from. This war is slowly bringing about a realization that we must take time to forget about ourselves for a while and focus on others. This nation was built on a dream that includes everyone, and now we fight to share that dream around the world. It is going to take more than just the fighters sacrifice to make that dream a reality. We must all do our part, and For the Fallen is one of the many ways to do just that."
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