America Supports You: Group Aids Children of Fallen Pararescue Jumpers

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 19, 2008 - Air Force pararescue jumpers recover servicemembers from any compromising situation in which they may find themselves. Their motto is "That others may live." A troop-support group that assists the children of fallen Air Force personnel has adopted that motto.

"Our main effort is to augment post-secondary educational funding for children who lost a parent in a [U.S. Air Force} search-and-rescue operational or training mission," said Laura Lerdall, communications coordinator for That Others May Live Foundation. "Other missions of the foundation include providing assistance in a home purchase or the start-up of a business to qualified beneficiaries."

Michael Agin, president of Pioneer Technologies Corp., and Brett Bolt Rota, chief executive officer of MOC1 Solutions Air Force pararescue jumpers recover servicemembers from any compromising situation in which they may find themselves. Their motto is "That others may live."

A troop-support group that assists the children of fallen Air Force personnel has adopted that motto., founded That Others May Live in 2002.

The organization works only with Air Force dependents. "The Air Force is the only [Defense Department] service with a dedicated personnel recovery force," Lerdall said. "This force routinely responds to the needs of all services and of civilian needs worldwide. They are a unique group with a unique calling."

Fundraising to date allowed the foundation to award three scholarships this fall, Lerdall said.

Lerdall said the organization's new affiliation with America Supports You, in addition to offering credibility, will help to get the word out so the group can award more scholarships in the future.

"As with any nonprofit, awareness is key to success," Lerdall said. "Connecting [also] may offer collaboration on some occasions," she said.

America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.