The pain of losing his son to war has never gone away for Charlie Strange of Northeast Philadelphia.
"You can't function, it grips you so bad," he said. "You're ok for a few days. Then all of the sudden, Wham!"
His son SEAL Team 6 Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange and nearly 30 Navy SEALS died when their Chinook helicopter was shot down over Afghanistan during a rescue mission in 2011.
Charlie Strange looked for grief counseling in several places, but found many counselors could not relate.
Later he met other parents who with the same pain, and formed the Michael Strange Foundation in his son's honor.
"They died for our freedom so we can go to work, so we can go on vacation and there's nothing for the parents," he said.
His group kicked off its first retreat to the Malvern House with families coming in from all across the country.
They will share stories and pictures of their loved ones, while being greeted by specially trained counselors. Strange said this retreat will be the first of many.
"We've got to touch everybody's heart you know? Got to," Strange said.
To find out how to support the Michael Strange Foundation, follow the Seen On TV link below to their website.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:53:44 GMT
Mother's Day just wasn't the same for Olga Ortiz of Newark, NJ. She said her daughter Melissa Rodriguez of Collingdale, would have spent the holiday weekend with family up there, but has not been seen
Police consider rebooting investigation of missing Delco mother as her mother marks Mother's Day without her.
Sunday, April 7 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-04-07 21:32:07 GMT
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:33:17 GMT
Brides are eager to take the last name of their husband after they tie the knot. Recent studies show that only 18% of women are interested in keeping their maiden names- which is down from a record high
More women are going retro when it comes to their last names after they marry, and taking their husband's surname.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:18 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:18:39 GMT
Appoquinimink High School officials say a gym teacher and head baseball coach is on administrative leave and barred from contact with students after an arrest on indecent exposure charges.
Appoquinimink High School officials say a gym teacher and head baseball coach is on administrative leave and barred from contact with students after an arrest on indecent exposure charges.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:36:58 GMT
In a day and age where pampering our dogs is at the top of the to-do list, and our furry friends are on social media, there is a new question to consider- just how smart are our pets? Dognition is giving
What's your dog thinking? Exciting new research that could have you reading your best friend's mind.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:00:09 GMT
It feels like summer out there. We're expecting milder temperatures than yesterday: highs in the mid 80s. Just like summer, it'll be humid, with a chance of a few spotty showers during the day.
This pattern stays in place until Thursday, when strong thunderstorms usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:39 GMT
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:07:00 GMT
A woman says she got kicked out of a Montgomery County mall for wearing a cancer-awareness hat. But it's the language, not the message, that got her into trouble.
A woman says she got kicked out of a Montgomery County mall for wearing a cancer-awareness hat. But it's the language, not the message, that got her into trouble.
