The Patriot Foundation

Since 2001, our armed forces have documented over 50,000 casualties in the Global War on Terrorism (deaths, wounds, and injuries). On top of this, the Veterans Administration reports there are additional hundreds of thousands of veterans suffering from the debilitating effects of Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Ft. Bragg alone has sustained nearly 800 deaths and more than 3,000 wounded or injured soldiers. That's 8 percent of the nation's total casualties originating from one geographic location.

Despite America's recent withdrawal of troops in Iraq, this war is still being fought by 68,000 troops in Afghanistan. Additionally, although we will draw down our troop levels in 2014, our country has recently established a 10-year "Enduring Strategic Partnership" agreement with Afghanistan, whereby United States Special Operations Forces will continue support operations in Afghanistan.

An Enduring Need

The Global War on Terrorism will likely require our forces to conduct operations around the world for years to come. The task of taking care of the shattered families from the many current and future casualties is daunting, and will persist for decades. The spouses and children of our dead, wounded, and injured soldiers will need a wide variety of support including child aid, college scholarship assistance, and child care for spouses who need to go back to school. These families are struggling to cope and transition. For so many of these families, our help is crucial.

How You Can Help

Your invaluable donations will provide college scholarships and financial assistance for children of soldiers in:

• 82nd Airborne Division

• XVIII Airborne Corps

• US Army Special Operations

• Ft. Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion

• Ft. Bragg Survivor Outreach Services

• US Navy SEALs

Donations will also provide child care for spouses of wounded/deceased soldiers so that the spouses may pursue further education. Most importantly, your contribution communicates to soldiers and their families that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The Patriot Foundation is an all volunteer organization. Our overhead rate for 2011 was 2.5 percent, so nearly all of your donations directly benefit those we serve.