The pain of losing his son to war has never gone away for Charlie Strange of Northeast Philadelphia.
"You can't function, it grips you so bad," he said. "You're ok for a few days. Then all of the sudden, Wham!"
His son SEAL Team 6 Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange and nearly 30 Navy SEALS died when their Chinook helicopter was shot down over Afghanistan during a rescue mission in 2011.
Charlie Strange looked for grief counseling in several places, but found many counselors could not relate.
Later he met other parents who with the same pain, and formed the Michael Strange Foundation in his son's honor.
"They died for our freedom so we can go to work, so we can go on vacation and there's nothing for the parents," he said.
His group kicked off its first retreat to the Malvern House with families coming in from all across the country.
They will share stories and pictures of their loved ones, while being greeted by specially trained counselors. Strange said this retreat will be the first of many.
"We've got to touch everybody's heart you know? Got to," Strange said.
To find out how to support the Michael Strange Foundation, follow the Seen On TV link below to their website.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:10 GMT
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:21 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:21:46 GMT
In Chester County, there was damage caused by severe storms as they ripped through the area this afternoon. It did not take long but it did quite a bit of damage.
In Chester County, there was damage caused by severe storms as they ripped through the area this afternoon. It did not take long but it did quite a bit of damage.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:10 GMT
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:23:12 GMT
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:20:21 GMT
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:56:59 GMT
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:55 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:55:15 GMT
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:58:16 GMT
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:07:39 GMT
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
