Name: Afghan War Gold Star Parents Help Veterans
Uploaded: 2021-08-27T22:56:14.000Z
Description: Many have been asking—was the war in Afghanistan worth it? Two gold star parents want to let combat veterans know, that they didn't serve in vain. Now, the parents are building free cabins for veterans, hoping that they can help each other heal.

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Many have been asking—was the war in Afghanistan worth it? Two gold star parents want to let combat veterans know, that they didn't serve in vain. Now, the parents are building free cabins for veterans, hoping that they can help each other heal.

Kirk and Gretchen Catherwood lost their son Alec in an explosion in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan 11 years ago. It was less than 3 weeks into his first deployment to Afghanistan, as a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. And he was just 19 years old.

"He was passionate about going. He wanted to go. It was important to him to go, for the reasons, you know, that he had stated. He said he wanted to help little girls go to school. He wanted to help the country that didn't have the freedoms that we do."

By elementary school, Alec already knew what he wanted to do in life.

"In 2025, I want to be in the Army. I want to fight for my country and what I believe in."

After Alec's death, being surrounded by memories in their hometown in Illinois became too painful. So the couple moved to a lake country in Tennessee. There, they've been searching for a way to honor their son's memory.

"I don't, I don't know where you find men and women like that."

About two dozen veterans take their own lives each day. Since Alec's death, the couple has counted at least eight members of their son's battalion who've committed suicide.

To honor those lost, and help others heal—they started building a sanctuary for veterans, called "Darkhorse Lodge." It's named after Alec's battalion, commonly known as the "Darkhorse Battalion."

"Take them fishing and give them a place, you know, just to kind of chill out and relax with people who they can speak openly about their experiences with."

The lodge's five cabins are arranged like military barracks. Each of the 25 rooms will be named after a Darkhorse casualty—room number 6 will be Alec's. The couple plans to open the lodge next spring. Visiting will be free for veterans of any war.

"I can no longer do for my son, but I can do for the sons and daughters of other mothers."

Some continue to question the merits of the war in Afghanistan and how it ended. And the couple worries about the effect that will have on those who served.

"They need to hold their heads up high, because they have no reason to feel any sort of shame. And they damn sure weren't there for nothing."

The gold star mother says, "It's easy to say now what was worth it. It's always like that in hindsight. And it's easy for people who don't have skin in the game."

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