Red Star Foundation Honors Red Star Wives in Nashville
Nashville, TN – February 21, 2025 – The Red Star Foundation made a profound impact at the Over, Never Out conference by presenting four Red Star Service Banners and Pins to Red Star Wives; women who have lost their military, veteran or first responder husbands or fiancées to suicide. This momentous occasion marked a significant step in recognizing and supporting families who have endured the devastating loss of a loved one.
The Over, Never Out conference, hosted by Operation Stand Down Tennessee, provided a crucial platform for discussing military and veteran suicides. An often-overlooked crisis affecting countless families. The event brought together advocates, survivors, and experts from around the United States to share stories, provide resources, and foster a stronger support network for those in need.
Among those honored was Marisa Colwell, whose late husband, Air Force Master Sergeant Aaron Colwell, died by suicide in October 2021. Since his passing, Marisa has dedicated herself to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health struggles in the military. She traveled from New Mexico to Nashville to participate in this groundbreaking conference and was deeply moved by the recognition and support offered by the Red Star Foundation.
“The job of the Red Star Foundation is to help take that label away and decrease the stigma of it,” said Jerry Shaffer, the organization’s founder. “From now on, they will be known as Red Star families.”
The Red Star Service Banner and Pin symbolize both the service of those lost and the enduring strength of their families. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that these families are not forgotten, providing them with a peer-support network, resources, and advocacy to help them heal and honor their loved ones.
The conference featured powerful testimonies from individuals like Jason Howk, a veteran who openly shared his struggles with mental health, underscoring the need for open conversations and accessible resources. Attendees emphasized that breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the military is essential to preventing further losses.
Through initiatives like the Red Star Service Banner and Pin, the Red Star Foundation continues to lead the charge in honoring and supporting the families of current military, veterans and first responders lost to suicide. Their presence at the Over, Never Out conference reinforced their commitment to ensuring that no family walks this difficult path alone.
For more information on the Red Star Foundation and how to support its mission, visit RedStarFoundation.org.
