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In a few weeks, over 80 Gold Star and Surviving Family (GSSF) members will gather in Coronado for the Navy SEAL Foundation’s (NSF) Parents’ Wellness Weekend, a dedicated retreat for the mothers and fathers of our fallen warriors. For some of these parents, the loss is recent. For others, it has been years. Our commitment to every one of them is the same: we will be here for as long as you need us.
What a Lifecycle of Care Looks Like
When tragedy strikes the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community, the NSF responds immediately. Within hours, we issue a tragedy assistance grant, coordinate travel, lodging, and transportation for the family, and connect them with grief counseling that continues for years.
From there, GSSF support continues through both immediate tragedy and long-term family assistance. In the days and months following a loss, we provide mortgage and rent relief, utility assistance, and access to legal and financial counseling to help families navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives. As they begin to move forward, the NSF remains alongside them, investing in the long-term well-being of the entire family through private school grants and Discovery Grants that allow children to pursue enrichment opportunities like sports, music, camps, and other skill-building activities that help them grow, build confidence, and simply be kids. We also bring families together through dinners, wellness weekends, and community gatherings that foster connection and ensure no one walks this journey alone.
Keeping the Community Connected
Earlier this year, the NSF hosted more than 70 GSSF members, along with swimmers and supporters, at the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim, a weekend built around remembrance, honor, and shared purpose. In January, 95 spouses and children came together in Tucson for a Winter Wellness Weekend focused on healing and connection, featuring guided hikes, movement sessions, and stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country.
This spring, the NSF is coordinating three Memorial Day ceremonies across the NSW community, including an inaugural ceremony honoring the Naval Special Warfare Command, Basic Training Command, and Group ONE. Each holiday season, the NSF places a wreath at the grave of every fallen NSW service member, whether in a national or private cemetery, through Wreaths Across America. Our team speaks every name. No one is forgotten.
The Numbers Behind the Mission
Overall, the NSF spends roughly $3 million annually on GSSF programs. In 2026, we have already invested $687,689 in Legacy Pillar programs that serve families of the fallen, and the year is just getting started. Our donors make this work possible, and we work to earn their trust every single day. Thank you for being part of this mission to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and support their loved ones left behind.
Click here to learn more about our Legacy Pillar programs.