Honoring the Fallen



Sometimes I just need to pause and imagine what it feels like to be someone else—to imagine how it feels to suffer the pain they are experiencing. Ever since I met Betsy Schultz, I’ve tried to imagine her grief—losing her only son. In the instantaneous flash and explosion of a road side bomb in Afghanistan, Betsy became a Gold Star Mom. A title none of us moms want to have.




I think about losing my own son, and how devastating that would be. Yet, within days of her son Joseph’s burial in Arlington Cemetery, she was formulating plans to help others like her heal from wounds no one can see or really feel.


In the Bible it says that for those in sorrow, God will give a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Captain Joseph House exemplifies this. From extensive remodeling of a 1912 home Betsy donated, to the lush gardens that are being tended, this will be a place for hurting families who’ve lost loved ones. As they say, they paid the “ultimate price” for their service to our nation.




Within the Captain Joseph House there are three suites named after the soldiers who died along with Joseph. Ironically, they died on Memorial Day May 29, 2011. Nothing replaces their vibrant lives, smiles, hugs, and love. But Betsy has photo albums and stories to share about Joseph and his passion that placed his country above his career—he left behind his fascinating work in Washington DC after the horrific events on September 11, 2001.


Betsy hopes families will be able to travel to this respite home she has painstakingly refurbished through countless volunteer hours, thousands of dollars of donations, and the hearts and steady work of some tremendously dedicated veterans. Those veterans especially know the cost of war—they came home, and some of their buddies did not.



So, as we celebrate Memorial Day, let’s remember those who died, but also those they left behind—the Gold Star Families, who lost an irreplaceable part of their lives. 



I stepped into Betsy’s life, learned about her loss and became inspired by her passion to help others who are hurting. It’s an opportunity we all have—for there are Gold Star parents, children, and families in every community. Sometimes the best gift we can give is our time to hear and appreciate the sacrifice their loved one gave. 



Here's her website: Captain Joseph House Foundation




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