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Some losses change you forever.
For Capt. Rick Roberts, President and Founder of Those Who Served Foundation (TWSF), that loss came in January 2026 when Rick lost his 22 year old son, Charlie.
Charlie did not serve in the military, and his death was not service-related. But for a father, losing a child changes everything. The empty chair, the memories, the birthdays, and the realization that life will never be the same become part of every day realty.
Rick has always had a tremendous respect for America’s Gold Star Families. After losing his Charlie; however, he gained a personal understanding of grief he never wanted.
That experience inspired TWSF’s newest initiative: Operation Charlie, named in honor of Rick’s son.
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TWSF has spent years serving Veterans and First Responders through fishing and boating experiences designed to provide healing, connection, and hope.
Now, the organization plans to expand that mission to include Gold Star and Green Star families.
Operation Charlie will provide opportunities for these families to spend time together on the water—fishing, boating, watching dolphins, sharing stories, laughing, or simply enjoying a peaceful day away from the demands of everyday life.
It isn’t about trying to erase grief.
Nothing can do that.
Instead, it is about creating a place where families can breathe, reconnect, and make new memories.
“We aren’t going to tell these families what they need,” Rick says. “We’re going to ask them what they want. If they want to fish, we’ll fish. If they want to ride and talk, we’ll ride. If they want to sit quietly and watch the water, that’s perfectly okay.”
For Rick, naming the program Operation Charlie makes the mission deeply personal.
“Charlie was my son. I can’t change what happened, and I can’t bring him back. But I can choose what I do with the love I have for him.”
Through Operation Charlie, Charlie’s memory will become part of something larger—a commitment to serve families who have experienced profound loss.
TWSF recognizes that when a service member makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family’s journey continues. The loss remains part of their lives, while their loved one’s memory becomes a legacy carried forward.
Operation Charlie will require community support. TWSF relies on donations, sponsors, fundraisers, and volunteers to provide its programs at no cost to those it serves.
For supporters, this is more than funding a fishing trip.
It is helping create a memory.
A father and daughter sharing a fishing rod.
Siblings laughing together.
A family watching the sunset.
A quiet moment on the water when, for just a little while, the weight becomes easier to carry.
“I know what it feels like to wake up and realize your child isn’t coming home. I would never compare my loss to the unique sacrifice of a military family who lost someone serving our country, but I do understand the pain of losing someone you love and carrying that loss everyday.” – Rick
Operation Charlie is a father’s tribute, a son’s legacy, and a promise to families who have sacrificed more than most of us will ever understand.
You can make a donation on our website or Facebook.
Those Who Served Foundation
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