Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind.
“He was the best dad to Bradley and Megan”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
Terrance Williamson and I met in college. He was a Clark Atlanta University alumnus and former football standout. He graduated in 2005 with a business degree in Finance. He was known to be a thinker, he was great with numbers, loyal and had a love for adventure. He had an ability to care for everyone. Terrance was a cherished husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was a organ donor and The Williamson Family established the Terrance Williamson endowment scholarship fund at Clark Atlanta University.
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Always missing you and honoring you every day”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Nicholas took pride in being a soldier, a father, and a husband. He was always the guy who would lift you up when you were down, he’d help you without even asking, and he’d drive you crazy only to make you fall more in love with him. Nicholas truly was a selfless person.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“To know Daniel was to love Daniel. He was so special to me and Ethan. We miss him everyday, but are thankful for every minute we were together. Daniel was saved in Afghanistan 7 weeks before he was killed. We are so thankful that we will see him in heaven again one day.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“COL David McCracken and I were married for 16 years. We met while working at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. As a US Army Reservist, David deployed several times after 9/11. His last deployment was to Victory Base Complex located in Baghdad, Iraq. He deployed days after settling into our new home in Tyrone, GA. He was not due to deploy again for a few more years. However, 12 days after landing back in the States, we were notified of David’s imminent departure. In early 2008, David arrived in Iraq resolving to come back in the best shape of his life. He started a fitness plan and began running daily. He added in a weight lifting program and came home a very fit 180 lbs. During his post-deployment medical exam, it was noted that while fit, he was now experiencing, “a persistent cough and headaches.” The headaches continued but still continued with his fitness regime. We sought medical assistance when he couldn’t rise up out of bed in early October of 2010. During a CT scan, the doctors picked up on two suspicious looking masses in his brain. A biopsy confirmed that David had Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain cancer. David deteriorated very rapidly, surprising all of his doctors because he was in such outstanding shape. David fought until the end, continuing to honor his Reservist duties and regularly attending Battle Assemblies. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel one month before his death. He approached each day with courage and never gave up his will to drive on and make each day a memory. It became our family motto, “Make memories.” David's death was recently ruled service-connected due to exposure to toxins while deployed in Iraq. His wife and children seek to carry on his legacy by reaching out to those experiencing loss of similar nature across the US”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“My husband and Father of my son Scott Saboe was a man of integrity and kindness. My husband was the love of my life, he had a special bond with his son. After all this time on this special anniversary for some reason, my son and myself both feel like we are surprised that he's gone. I think part of us has waited in the background of our lives for him to come home or to be with him. Something about this year reminds us that he is not coming back, and we will never get over losing him, but we will learn to live. We love him and miss him so much.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“DJ was a loving father and husband. He served his country with honor and pride. We miss him dearly.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“I would like to honor my husband, Sergeant Joshua Adam Hester, who proudly served the country he loved as an infantryman and sniper for over 15 years. He loved the military and would do anything for his guys. He was selected to train scout teams in Japan and marksmanship to deploying units. Joshua was deployed to Operation Desert Storm and Persian Gulf. Joshua got injured in Afghanistan with an IED blast during his final deployment and was later discharged and continued suffering from the spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries from the IED blast, and PTSD. He died from his injuries at home, just one month before our son Matthew was born. Joshua was beautiful inside and out, from his smile to his heart of gold. He was compassionate and loving to his family and those he served with. His friends were like family. Joshua loved making everyone laugh and never hesitated to help anyone who needed some help. He would stop to help a stranded driver. A protector at heart, Joshua would always step up to defend somebody being taken advantage of, or who could not defend themselves. My son and I find ways to keep his memory alive and honor him, he is greatly missed.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Special Warfare Operation (SEAL) Chief Petty Officer Aaron Carson Vaughn was born on June 24, 1981 in Union City, Tennessee. He graduated from Obion County Central High School in Troy, TN in June 1999. He received his Associates Degree from Indian River Community College in Florida and was pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College. Chief Petty Officer Vaughn enlisted in the Navy and reported to Naval Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois on November 25, 2002. On February 4, 2003, he completed basic training and reported to A-School at FCFCLANT DAM NECK, Virginia for three months. On May 23, 2003, he entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/s) Training in Coronado, California. After six months of grueling and demanding training, he graduated from BUD/s Class 248 and immediately proceeded to Advanced SEAL Qualification Training, graduating in October 2004. Chief Petty Officer Vaughn served his first SEAL Team, SEAL TEAM ONE, in Coronado, California from November 2004-May 2008. He was then assigned to Naval Special Warfare Training Detachment Assaults from May 2008 to May 2010, where he was CQC (Close Quarter Combat) and Lead Breacher Instructor. In May 2010, Chief Petty Officer Vaughn began rigorous selection and training with Naval Special Warfare Development Group. This training included Close Quarters Battle, Military Free-Fall, Tactical First Response Medical Training, Survival Evasion and Escape (SERE), Combat Pistol and Rifle Courses and numerous other courses. He endured several months of the most rigorous training offered in the military and upon successful completion reported to Naval Special Warfare and Development and Evaluation Squadron Three in December 2010. Chief Petty Officer Vaughn has completed numerous deployments around the world and combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Chief Petty Officer Aaron Vaughn was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards including the Joint Service Achievement Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary) Medal and numerous other personal and unit decoration. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Bronze Star Medal with Valor. Chief Petty Officer Vaughn is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly, 2 year old son, Reagan, 4 month old daughter, Chamberlyn, his parents Billy and Karen, his sisters Tara and Ana, and numerous other family, friends, and teammates.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“My husband was the most kind, patient and loving man. He loved God, His country and his family.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Marco was kind, caring, hard working and the life of the party, and that shows through today in his children Mikayla and Tuftin.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Cameron was a loyal soldier and an amazing son, brother, father, and husband and there are no words to express how much we love and miss him every day”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Nathan was charming & witty. He was incredibly funny and had the best outlook on life. He brought the good time to every environment he was in. He was so fun & always positive! He was so passionate, about everything he did! He joined the military right after 9/11 & he committed his life to serving. He set out to become a green beret, which he achieved right away. He was obviously a total badass!!! He loved living life to the absolute fullest!! He did not waste time. He was always up to something, always learning to do something new. He had so many hobbies!! And he excelled at everything he did!! He was the coolest dad ever and a loving and devoted husband.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Lt Col Hunter Letchman was the father to my 5 amazing children and my husband.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Brandon was most comfortable behind the scenes. He was a humble & loyal person. His heart and soul were his daughters, Maya and Audrey. He met his wife, Andrea in high school and they married shortly after. At the time of his death he was married to his loving wife for 16 years, served in the USAF for 16 years & PCS’ed 6 times across the country. Brandon worked as a MQ-9 (Reaper) evaluator in the USAF where he received many awards such as the Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal & AF Commendation Medal to list a few. He is loved and missed by many family and friends.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Frank grew up on a lake in Tennessee. Loved to waterski and scuba dive. Was close with his family, a TN State-champion wrestler, and went to the Air Force Academy and was captain of the wrestling team there. He dreamed of flying and was always service-oriented. He had a calling to protect others. Frank won just about every Air Force award. He was a decorated combat fighter pilot and was recognized as the best instructor pilot. We met in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. He was assigned there with the US Air Force flying Block 60 F-16s and I was there as a diplomat at the Embassy working on Iran. We met at the Marine bar Chesty’s at a Happy Hour my first day in country and lived and dated in Abu Dhabi for two years. We got married in Washington, DC and had our son, Sean two years later. Frank deployed to Afghanistan when Sean was 2 weeks old. He was due to come home a year later when he was killed in an insider attack. Frank was leading a team in Kabul, Afghanistan helping the Afghans to build a viable Air Force. He uncovered corruption undertaken by the Afghan Air Defense leadership and airmen and reported anomalies and nefarious activities which included misuse of American resources by Afghan forces. The Afghan Ministry of Defense was unhappy with his work and his actions to curb Afghan misuse of Air Force resources and orchestrated an ambush killing Frank and 7 other US Air Force Airmen and a US contractor. Frank was exceptional, devoted, kind, hard-working and very respected. He was the best part of us and we miss him every day.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“Tristan was creative, intelligent and adventurous. He loved the outdoors, his kids, and writing. We both went to art school when Alice was a baby, and she spent a lot of time with us in the clay studio. Tristan was a dedicated marine with a beautiful mind.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“On Friday, October 28, 2022, Captain Ari Ronel Goldschmidt, BSN, PMHNP, a loving partner, father of two and stepfather of five, passed away at age thirty-seven. A Captain in the United States Army Reserves, Ari served his country for the past 18 years; and shared that commitment to friendship and service with his large community of friends, colleagues, and co-workers for all his life. Most of all, Ari was a family man. He deeply loved his family and enjoyed celebrating with them in many wonderful ways. Ari was born to Robert and Michele Goldschmidt on July 7, 1985 in New York City, the second of three sons. He joined the Reserves at age 18 and spent one year in Iraq. He graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree and quickly gained high-level skills in several areas of nursing. He earned a Master’s degree in Psychiatric-Behavioral Health Nursing and spent his last few years as the lead nurse practitioner at a residential behavioral health facility. Ari was happiest surrounded by and sharing life with his family. He loved gourmet cooking, fancy cake baking and mixology. He loved traveling, seeing new places and sharing active pursuits like hiking and fishing. Most of all, Ari loved celebrating life cycle events with family, including both Jewish and Christian customs to honor his blended family. Ari is survived by his wife and loving partner, Chrystal, his two children, Micah and Ayla from his first marriage, and Chrystal’s five children, Chrissy, Daniel, Matthew, Sammy and Izack. Although Ari and Chrystal shared only seven years together, those years were filled with a lifetime of love and beautiful memories. He also is survived by his parents, two brothers, Ian and Lee; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Ari leaves a legacy of committed service, caring for others with an impact that was deeply felt by all who knew him. He will be greatly and dearly missed.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
“We are a family created at McDonald's that loves unconditionally and is missing our hero every day.”
Sugar Bear Foundation Honors the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country while we support the spouses and children they leave behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue the programs we offer.
