An organization created right here in the Treasure Valley is starting to gain momentum, and the founder is hoping to extend their reach worldwide.
Nearly a year ago, Caldwell resident Kathy Homuth came up with the idea for a new organization called Honored Angels.
It was Memorial Day weekend, and she wanted to honor the lives of her brother and son. They both served in the U.S. Air Force, and their wives chose to bury them in other states. Her son, Gary, committed suicide.
"When you lose a child, it's so much different," Homuth said, who is the founder of the organization. "The pain is so much deeper."
Homuth reached out to someone with a veteran group in Colorado, where her son is buried, who was willing to help her pay respect by way of cleaning up the gravesite, placing flowers on it and saying a prayer. Having the pictures sent back and knowing she accomplished what she wanted to get done was priceless.
Her brother, Ted Griffin, supports her in this mission. They are currently seeking help to gain 501(c)3 non-profit status.
"A lot of times, what happens is a loved one will pass away and they leave this big whole in our heart. And, we're always looking to try to fill it with something," the U.S. Navy veteran said. "Sometimes it's pets, sometimes it's organizations we can do things with."
The siblings aren't aware of any other organization like theirs. But, it's not just for military members.
"I'll pair someone in Texas with someone in Arizona," Homuth said. "And, the way that you pay them back... the price is to pay it forward, to do that for somebody else."
With 6,000 members on the group's Facebook page, they're hopeful they can one day expand their reach worldwide.
For more information, dial (208) 741-1174 or visit https://www.facebook.com/HonoredAngels/.
