Supporting the Children of Fallen Rescue Heroes

As published in the 2009 Fall Edition DEFENSE STANDARD

How would you define the word, Hero? According to Webster’s Dictionary, it is “A person of great courage or one admired for his or her exploits.” The term Rescue Hero though, is the saving grace to a wounded military person or a stranded hurricane victim. In a society where the four-letter word, Hero, is often attached to most any celebrity or someone’s average accomplishment, it holds a much deeper meaning to a child who has lost a parent. When friends and loved ones in the military are tragically taken away from us, the term may take on a whole new meaning.

To Michael Agin, co-founder of That Others May Live Foundation, a Rescue Hero could be defined as a father or mother who perished in a US Air Force Personnel Recovery training or operational mission. Agin and a friend formed That Others May Live Foundation as a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization to provide post secondary educational assistance for children who lost a parent in a USAF personnel recovery training or operational mission.

Referring to the first ever scholarship awards in the fall of 2008, Agin states, “I have achieved much in my life and the scholarship presentation tops the list. Because of the Foundation, there is someone who got dealt some rather crummy cards in life who is now going to get a quality education and much improved chance to succeed in life.”

A testament to the Foundation’s accomplishments is the participation status in the Combined Federal Campaign in a total of four states, including Arizona (except Maricopa County), Okaloosa-Walton Counties, Florida, Southern Nevada and Southwest Georgia.

The Foundation operates through the charitable contributions of corporations and individuals. There are many ways to honor a Rescue Hero. We think a great way to honor a Hero is to be one by contributing to a lasting legacy.

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”
-Herbert Spencer (1820 - 1903)