Folds of Honor Executive Vice President of Operations and Relationships Col. James “Nick” Nichols joins us to share their story and how all of us can support this honorable cause. Folds of Honor provides scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. To date they have granted 35,000 scholarships with an educational impact in excess of $160 million.

The idea for Folds of Honor came to Founder Lt. Col. Dan Rooney through an experience on an airline flight after returning from his second deployment. As he boarded, he noticed a Corporal in Army dress greens sitting in first class. Upon landing, the pilot announced that they were carrying the remains of a fallen service member, Corporal Brock Bucklin. The soldier in first class was his twin brother Corporal Brad Bucklin, bringing his brother’s remains home. Dan witnessed Brock’s wife and young son greeting the flag draped coffin. Dan knew that that young man would have a huge gap in his life going forward and the rest of us should not leave that family behind. Jacob Bucklin would become the first Folds of Honor scholarship recipient in 2007.

Patriot Golf Days is one of their major initiatives. People all around the country are encouraged to make a donation and then go out and play a round of golf on Memorial Day weekend at their local golf course. People can join their “squadron” with a monthly donation of $13 per month. (The number of folds in the flags placed upon military coffins.)

Nick is a third generation fighter pilot. His father was killed in Vietnam when Nick was only fifteen. He knows firsthand the challenges faced by the Gold Star families that his organization supports.

Scholarship applications may be submitted via their website February 1 – March 31 of every year.

TAKEAWAY: “Leaving the military was a difficult transition but Folds of Honor allows me to continue to serve.”