The Freedom 13: Supporting Veterans and Their Families

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Mark Schmitz, a Gold Star father, found himself at a crossroads following the loss of his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz. Jared was one of 13 U.S. servicemembers who died during the evacuation at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021. To honor Jared’s memory, Mark channeled his grief into action, creating The Freedom 13, a nonprofit initiative.

Jared Schmitz had long aspired to join the Marines, rigorously preparing alongside enlistees before officially enlisting in 2019 at age 18. He was involved in a non-combatant evacuation operation when he passed. Following Jared’s death, the Schmitz family received widespread support, including condolence letters and monetary donations.

Rather than use these funds personally, Mark and his wife founded The Freedom 13. The initiative aims to create therapeutic retreat camps nationwide for veterans, law enforcement, and their families. These camps, starting with a 171-acre site in Missouri, offer accommodations and community spaces to foster healing and connection.

Each camp will feature 13 homes and a main house where guests dine communally, promoting interaction and camaraderie. Mark Schmitz emphasizes that these retreats enable organic healing by providing a supportive environment without pressure on participants to discuss mental health challenges.

The funding began with about $250,000 received as condolence money. Mark bolstered support through events like pub crawls and galas, raising nearly $918,000. The Freedom 13 also advocates for policy changes, such as amending GI Bill allocations and enhancing military death benefits.

For more information or to support the nonprofit, visit thefreedom13.org. The American Legion’s podcast, Tango Alpha Lima, further engages listeners with veteran-related topics and stories. For inquiries, contact the American Legion National Headquarters.