Nation of Heroes Episode 2

Mark Schmitz is the father of Marine Jared Schmitz who was killed in the evacuation of Afghanistan, and he talks about why he started a nonprofit “theFreedom13.org”to serve veterans by building recreational retreat villages for them and their families to stay a week for free.

https://thefreedom13.org/pages/the-freedom-13-veterans-recreational-retreat

It’s a way to thank veterans for their service. Retreats will cater to veterans of every branch of service and their families.

The best therapy for veterans is talking to other veterans.

He talks about how he is raising money for his nonprofit project and entrepreneurial spirit behind it.

He talks about all the moving parts that need to come together to build the retreats. What the retreat and the houses on the retreat will consist of…

Mark discusses how he never thought he would lead a nonprofit and he discusses the biggest hurdles he had to overcome.

He also sees a lot encroachment by companies trading off his son’s name and how he looks at that situation.

Mark discusses that he wants to theFreedom13 nonprofit will be as to be as big and successful as Tunnel to Towers someday.

The difference between his organization and other veteran service organization. Thefreedom13.org is action oriented and it has a clear vision what they want to accomplish.

Their mission is honoring the veterans who died in service to their country by being in service to those who are still here.

Mark discusses how he took for granted the work of service people prior to Jared’s death.

Mark talks about how he deals with society that takes America for granted and why we need to celebrate veterans more than on Veteran’s Day

The Houses at the Retreat will be named for the 13 veterans that died with his son Jared.

Mark then talks about where to go to find out more about his organization, the retreats, and events associated with thefreedom13.org and how to donate $13 a month.

He then he talks about what he needs in the way of physical donations of construction materials.

-And, finally, what other businesses helpt to support his nonprofit.