Stories

We are on a mission to honor the service of our Military and First Responders by creating opportunities for grateful Americans to express their gratitude. We believe sharing these stories empowers others to realize their own potential to make a difference and encourages them to take action.
Mail Call

Mail Call

We receive letters every day from Care Package recipients abroad and at home.

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Operation Gratitude. Read some of their stories.

Stories

Our mission is to forge strong bonds between Americans and their Military and First Responder heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude, and meaningful engagements in communities nationwide. In doing so, we are strengthening communities across the country by building bridges between civilians, military, veterans, first responders and their families and we believe sharing these stories empowers others to realize their own potential to make a difference and encourages them to take action. To get started we recommend reading our blog series “It’s Not Just…” and then suggest exploring further through the stories of our volunteers and recipients in our blog posts.

Latest Blogs

February 22, 2023

we are excited to be partnering with Stars and Stripes! Founded in 1861, Stars and Stripes provides independent news and information to the U.S. Military community, including active-duty service members, Veterans, and their families.

December 12, 2022

Support (verb): To hold up or add strength literally or figuratively. To advocate, assist or help. Operation Gratitude’s partners and...

August 12, 2022

Every week, we hear from enthusiastic people across the country, like you, who want to join us on the journey...

Solidarity of Service

Podcast

Our podcast, the Solidarity of Service is available in audio and film, hosted by Operation Gratitude CEO and Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel and the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer for NAMI, Retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer-2 Sherman Gillums, Jr. The show explores inspiring stories about community, connection, and service, featuring true American patriots from all walks of life. The inspiration for the Solidarity of Service came from the two friends’ conversations about their desire to help heal a divided nation and the power of service in uniting communities.
May 20, 2021

In this episode of our Solidarity of Service podcast, host and Operation Gratitude CEO Kevin Schmiegel speaks with two current...

May 17, 2021

In the 10th episode of Solidary of Service, host Kevin Schmiegel chats with military spouse and Blue Star Families’ Co-Director...

May 6, 2021

In this eighth episode of Solidarity of Service, hosts Kevin Schmiegel and Sherman Gillums, Jr. are joined by military spouse...

In the News

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