Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. We are a grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families including some with loved ones in harm's way, Veterans, and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their efforts to make America safer by allowing them to complete their mission.
Collectively we will ensure that the sacrifices our courageous warriors have made are not in vain, and that the heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been charged with such a vital mission will be given the support they need to complete their mission. The members of our organization know well why these brave individuals choose to serve. We know that these humble Americans leave their homes and loved ones with the knowledge that they are making the world a safer place. And we know that these dedicated service members are committed, first and foremost, to seeing their mission through to completion.
Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission provides a means for our Gold Star Families, who have lost loved ones in the defense of our nation, to find solace in each other’s company, and know that many others share their love, admiration and support for our armed forces.
We want all the friends and families of our troops to know that we share their vision of finishing the incredibly vital task at hand and look forward to welcoming them home when the inevitable victory is achieved.
To our heroic military men and women, and their families, we offer a humble and especially sincere, "Thank You."
Click here for a video message from Mark Weber
What We Believe
Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission has four basic principles. They are:
- The United States was attacked. On September 11, 2001, our nation was victim to an unprovoked attack by al-Qaeda terrorists. This horrific assault was the capstone of a series of al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on our country: the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Towers, the 1998 bombing of our U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole. Our President and government leaders were right to defend our nation by aggressively pursuing the terrorists who took refuge in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Click here for a video message from Pat Kelly
- Our troops want to finish the job. Our all-volunteer Armed Services are comprised of brave men and women who believe in their mission, trust in their leadership, and strongly want to finish the job in Afghanistan and Iraq before leaving - and that means leaving behind self-governing democracies that can defend themselves.
Click here for a video message from Diane Rooney
- Democracy abroad is necessary for our security at home. Democracy can and will work in the Middle East. Iraqis and Afghans want to govern themselves and their twin successes will serve as the keystone for a more democratic, more peaceful world.
Click here for a video message from Marcellus Wilks
- We will not be safe until the terrorists are defeated. If we do not finish the job in Afghanistan and Iraq, terrorists will be strengthened and will eventually bring the fight to us here in the United States.
Click here for a video message from John Ellsworth
What We Do
Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission was founded in the summer of 2005. Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission helped organize 30 events across the country in fall 2005, with our marquee event on September 24 in Washington, DC with 45 Gold Star families participating. We continue to expand our team by reaching out to more Gold Star families, War on Terror veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, and community partners. Our goals:
1. Support the troops. Ensure that the troops will be given the support they need to complete their mission.
Click here for a video message from Amy Henderson
2. Act as a network. Provide a means through state chapter organizations and state and national events for our members to find solace in each other's company.
Click here for a video message from Merrilee Carlson
3. Promote our service members' good work. Actively work to get the good news out by participating in media interviews and writing guest opinions; joining others at events to highlight the accomplishments of our soldiers; and sponsoring advertisements to ensure that the public knows everything our military is doing to defend us and to help people abroad.
Click here for a video message from Mike Broomhead
Although anyone can join Families United who believes in our four principles, our organization expressly seeks to recruit War on Terror veterans, Blue Star and Gold Star families, all Armed Service veterans and Veteran Service Organizations, and community leaders and organizations.
Our Organization
Board of Directors
Merrilee Carlson, President
John Ellsworth, Vice President
Kathy Dunaway, Secretary
Ken Kolek, Treasurer
Robert Stephenson, Member-At-Large
Executive Director
Merrilee Carlson, Acting
