To honor the selfless dedication of an organization devoted to serving Gold Star families, the Michael Strange Foundation was awarded the President’s Award from the Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania at the inaugural Broadband Summit at the Lancaster Marriott.
The BCAP President’s Award is bestowed upon a deserving organization serving its community, with this year’s selection honoring the Michael Strange Foundation, which was established by the fallen serviceman Michael Strange’s father, Charles Strange. The organization assists Gold Star families in their grieving process by providing unconditional support and services by professionals in several fields, and also by those who have suffered similar losses so that the healing process can begin.
BCAP President Todd Eachus, a U.S. Navy veteran, has worked with the foundation over the last two years.
“Losing a loved one, especially in service to our nation, is the ultimate sacrifice for a family. In the days, weeks and months that follow, Gold Star families need additional support, and the Michael Strange Foundation has been able to offer that,” Eachus said. “I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child, but Charlie has managed to channel that grief into helping people in a way that is truly amazing.”
In remarks to the summit attendees, Charles told them that remembering a fallen loved one is an important part of the grieving and healing process and that’s why at all foundation events, photos of the fallen heroes are presented.
Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange, a Wissinoming native and 2004 North Catholic graduate, joined the U.S. Navy, where he worked in several high-profile signals intelligence gathering offices and became a first line supervisor in charge of multiple analysts. After an arduous screening process, Petty Officer Strange volunteered and was selected for duty at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. After completing the Tactical Direct support course, finishing at the top of his class, he was assigned to TACDEVRON THREE as an Information Operations enabler.
Strange was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Presidential Unit Citation. On Aug. 6, 2011, Strange died of wounds caused when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard crashed in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was 25. ••
