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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
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.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:26:18 GMT
Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.Police say the incident happened just before 11P.M. on May 19th on the 6000 block of Wister Street.The suspect
Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:01:49 GMT
Kasey's bark may be worse than her bite. But Hamilton Township Police say the crook who tried to rob Draper Ellis late Thursday afternoon at his "May's Landing Auto Parts Store" didn't stick around
A South New Jersey business owner comes face to face with a suspected robber threatening him with a knife. Thanks to his 7-year-old family pet, the crook ran off.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:08:04 GMT
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed.
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed. FOX 29's Bruce Gordon spent a day with folks preparing a veterans' cemetery for its day in the spotlight.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:48 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:48:26 GMT
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:30:28 GMT
Ocean City is a fabulous family-friendly, shore town that is ready for a fabulous Summer season. From the relaxing beaches to the famous boardwalk, Ocean City is safe, clean and has some of the best food
Ocean City is a fabulous family-friendly, shore town that is ready for a spectacular Summer season.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:40:06 GMT
Not the prettiest Friday, but we're ready for a great weekend. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. After an early high in the upper sixties, temperatures fall & winds pick up out of the chillier northwest. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks sunny and cool with highs in the low to mid 60s on Saturday, in the 70s Sunday & Monday. Cooler temps at the shore.
