The loss of a loved one can profoundly alter one’s life, but for some, it also becomes a call to action. Mark Schmitz, whose son Jared was tragically killed in Afghanistan, has turned his grief into a mission to support veterans and their families. The Freedom 13 Recreational Camps aims to offer solace and healing for those who have served.
Jared Schmitz was among the 13 Marines who lost their lives during a suicide bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021. His father, Mark, recalls their close relationship and the pride he felt when Jared joined the Marine Corps in 2019. Despite the devastation of his son’s death, Schmitz chose to channel his emotions into creating a positive legacy.
“When we lost Jared, our initial reaction was grief and shock,” Mark told Military.com. “I’ve found, through this experience, that people tend to react to a tragedy like this in three different ways. There are those that dig a hole and can’t get past what’s happened; they sink into depression, those who just pick up the pieces, accept it and move on with their lives, and then there are those like us who want to basically take a tragedy and turn it into something positive.”
Determined to honor Jared’s commitment to helping others, Schmitz and his wife envisioned a retreat where veterans and military families could escape their daily struggles. This idea evolved into The Freedom 13 Recreational Camps, designed to foster community and improve mental health among veterans, law enforcement, and their families.
“Around November of 2021, my wife and I started talking about doing something to honor Jared’s legacy,” Schmitz explained. They researched recreational camps and decided to create a place offering support for those suffering from invisible scars such as PTSD. The Freedom 13, named after the fallen Marines, aims to “remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice by supporting the veterans still with us.”
Expanding Nationwide
Schmitz’s ambitious plan is to establish 50 retreats across the U.S., each hosting 13 family-friendly homes. The goal is to acquire vast expanses of land, with sites offering a variety of outdoor activities. “Our goal is to acquire 50,000 acres of land with 13 homes built on each site for 650 houses nationwide,” Schmitz said. “You do the math, and if you have full capacity all year long, you’re treating over 33,000 veterans and law enforcement officers and their families.”
The first step towards this vision materialized in October 2024, with the purchase of 171 acres in Missouri. The site already features two houses, with 11 more planned as fundraising efforts continue. The retreats aim to include amenities like pools, lakes, and trails to enhance the experience.
Fight to End Suicide
The Freedom 13 also focuses on addressing veteran suicide, a pressing issue highlighted by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2023 data, which reported 35.2 veteran suicides per 100,000 individuals. While the camps are not a cure-all, they provide a supportive environment for mental health recovery. As Greg Doolin, a brand ambassador for The Freedom 13, stated, “Our mission is simple in theory, but massive in execution — to provide a place of rest, healing, and community for those who have spent their lives serving others.”
Funding for The Freedom 13 comes from a $13 monthly donation program and events like the Freedom Backyard Ultra Marathon and Angels of Abbey Gate Memorial Ride. Schmitz is confident that his son would be proud of the work being done in his honor, turning personal tragedy into a mission benefiting many.
