Remembering the Fallen, Serving the Living Ministries serving the wider military community—from bereaved spouses to children, veterans, and active-duty service members.

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As Memorial Day has invited us to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country, it also reminds us to be grateful for ministries that continue caring for those left behind and those still carrying the burdens of military life. This week’s roundup reflects on that sacrifice with gratitude, highlighting ministries serving widows, military families, veterans, and the children of those who serve.

The Freedom Movement

After losing her husband in 2016, Marlene arrived at a Freedom Movement retreat angry with God, uncertain what to expect, and afraid to travel alone. But her time at the retreat with other widows, community prayer, and support from those there renewed her faith and helped her feel loved and no longer alone.

The Freedom Movement gathers Gold Star widows, Blue Star and Green Star military widows, first responder widows, and adult daughters of fallen heroes at Sky Ranch Ute Trail in Powderhorn, Colorado, to grieve, heal, and move forward together. Its team is made up of ministry leaders passionate about bringing the hope of Christ to people’s hearts through service and mission work. Those who want to help can do so by sponsoring a widow through Freedom Movement’s website.

Cadence International

After Chris Stephenson retired after 20 years in the Army, he and his wife, Melissa, began serving with Cadence International in Germany. Cadence is a mission-focused ministry striving to “share the gospel and our lives with the military community.” Through its program, trained “missionaries” serve military personnel, spouses, dependents, and chaplains in the U.S. and overseas through hospitality houses, youth groups, Bible studies, retreats, and other fellowship-based ministries.

In 2025, the couple moved back to coastal North Carolina to plant a Cadence Hospitality House near Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, where they now focus on serving single service members through meals, Bible studies, and one-on-one discipleship. In the MinistryWatch database, Cadence International has a 100 Donor Confidence Score, an A Transparency Grade, and a 4-star Financial Efficiency Rating.

My Hero Squad

For over 200 years, the American Bible Society’s Armed Services Ministry has distributed Bibles and Scripture resources to the U.S. military. My Hero Squad is a branch of that ministry serving children of service members and veterans. The program addresses the unique pressures military kids face, including deployments, separations, moves, and uncertainty, to help them know they are valued and loved by God.

My Hero Squad provides free resources to eligible U.S.-based military and veteran families with children ages 3 to 17. Families receive a Welcome Box with age-appropriate Bibles, devotionals, activities, and gifts, followed by quarterly printed materials and weekly devotional emails for parents and caregivers. American Bible Society has a 1 Star rating and an A Transparency Grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a Donor Confidence Score of 75 (Give with Confidence).

Mighty Oaks

More than 20 veterans die by suicide each day, and 33% of first responders live with post-traumatic stress. Mighty Oaks is hosting a Memorial Month fundraiser, the 22 for 22 Challenge—a call for supporters to give $22 a day for 22 days to help veterans still fighting battles at home. The ministry provides free, faith-based, peer-led recovery programs for veterans, first responders, and military spouses. Over 6,000 men and women have completed Mighty Oaks’ programs, and its broader resiliency efforts have reached more than half a million active-duty troops on military bases worldwide. Its core offering is a multi-day Legacy Program held at ranch locations across the country, with donors fully covering travel and participation costs.

Military Community Youth Ministries / MCYM

Military Community Youth Ministries serves military-connected teenagers through Club Beyond, its ministry for middle and high school students worldwide. Staff and volunteers mentor teens through the challenges of adolescence, offering Christian role models, club meetings, retreats, camps, service projects, and weekly Bible studies for students who want to deepen their faith. Military Community Youth Ministries has a 5 Star rating and a C Transparency Grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a Donor Confidence Score of 90 (Give with Confidence).

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