Losing a service member is devastating—whether it’s a friend, teammate, or family member. The transition from active-duty camaraderie to facing loss alone can feel overwhelming.
What Military Families & Teammates Experience
💔 Shock & Isolation: Many are disconnected from civilian life after loss
🛡️ Warrior Mentality: Service members are taught to push through pain, making grief harder
🔥 The Drive to Honor the Fallen: Many want to channel grief into purpose
How Bitterroot Innovations Honors the Fallen
Our company was built to carry forward the legacy of our fallen heroes by:
✔ Supporting military resilience & health through science-driven nutrition
✔ Providing warfighters with the best possible tools for mission success
✔ Ensuring no service member’s sacrifice is forgotten
We understand that navigating grief is an intensely personal and challenging journey. To support you, here are some strategies and resources that may offer comfort and guidance:
Tips for Moving Forward While Honoring Your Loved One:
- Create Personal Memorials: Engage in activities that celebrate your loved one’s life. This could include planting a tree in their memory, creating a scrapbook of cherished moments, creating a ruck event in their honor, or dedicating time to a cause they were passionate about.
- Establish New Traditions: Incorporate rituals that honor their memory into your routine. Lighting a candle on special occasions, cooking their favorite dessert and sharing that recipe, or visiting places that hold significance can provide a sense of connection.
- Express Your Emotions: Writing stories about the person, try journaling or a journaling Bible, talking to God, supporting a cause mutually shared between you and your loved one, or even speaking aloud to your loved one can be therapeutic.
- Seek Support: Sharing your feelings with friends, family, or support groups in your area or virtually can alleviate the sense of isolation.
Organizations Offering Grief Support:
- The Compassionate Friends: Provides support for families grieving the loss of a child. https://www.compassionatefriends.org/
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Offers compassionate care and free seminars and events to those grieving the loss of a military loved one. https://www.taps.org/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Provides a Disaster Distress Helpline for immediate crisis counseling. https://www.samhsa.gov/
Recommended Books on Grief:
- “My Son…My Son…” by Iris Bolton: A guide to healing after the death of a child. growingthrugrief.org
- “Bittersweet: A True Story of Love and Loss” by Lotte Bowser: A memoir offering insights into navigating profound grief. dailytelegraph.com.au
Podcasts Addressing Grief:
- Grief Out Loud: Hosted by the Dougy Center, this podcast features personal stories and expert advice on grieving. dougy.org
- The Grief Mentor: Focuses on life after child loss, offering hope and healing for grieving parents. podcasts.apple.com
Additional Resources:
Remember, grief is a unique process for each individual. It’s essential to find what resonates with you and to allow yourself the time and space to heal. If you feel overwhelmed, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for personalized support.