By Contributing Editor Blair Drake

Each summer, children from across the U.S. travel at no cost to their families to a weeklong camp in Grafton, Wis. There, at Camp Hometown Heroes, they participate in outdoor activities, games, and sports. They also grieve and heal together. These campers are all children of fallen U.S. servicemembers.

When a member of the nearby Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter first heard about Camp Hometown Heroes about seven years ago, he quickly volunteered to help.

“I saw an article about it and who the target audience was for the camp, and so I called and went in and volunteered and washed dishes and whatnot during the camp that year,” said Col. Glen Armstrong, USA (Ret), chapter membership chair. “I was impressed with how they were trying to help these kids out.”

The program, for children and siblings of fallen servicemembers between the ages of 7 and 17, includes lodging, meals, and all activities. Airfare to and from camp is also provided.

After his experience, Armstrong went to his chapter to see how it might be able to support the camp.

Since then, members of the chapter have volunteered their time at Camp Hometown Heroes, helping with projects such as trimming hedges, demolishing old cabins, painting, and installing shelves in the maintenance shed.

They also have brought along local ROTC and Junior ROTC units as well as friends to help.

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“We’re providing manpower and sweat equity to get things done,” Armstrong said. “If you’re going to build something, you need lots of hands, so we could bring some people out [to help].

The chapter also have provided financial support through grants they have received from The MOAA Foundation. The chapter is one of 30 MOAA affiliates to receive a Community Outreach Grant this year.

The grants have allowed the camp to upgrade heating systems and lighting, install storage sheds, and make other needed facility improvements.

Armstrong said the mission of the camp is what makes supporting it so important to the chapter.

“The concept behind the camp … it’s very worthwhile,” Armstrong said. “And so many people donate their time there.”

The support of Camp Hometown Heroes is just one of the ways members of the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter give back to the military and veterans’ community. The chapter also makes monetary donations to local Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades and assists at an annual Stand Down for homeless and at-risk veterans.

Blair Drake is a contributing editor for MOAA and lives in Souderton, Pa. She previously served on the editorial team of Military Officer magazine for nine years.