Tragedy Assistance

Tragedy assistance helps Coast Guard families and shipmates cover urgent travel costs and unexpected expenses during illness, injury, loss, and grief.

A serious injury, critical illness, or the death of a loved one can place enormous emotional and financial strain on Coast Guard families. The Coast Guard Foundation’s tragedy assistance program helps members, families, and shipmates access immediate support so they can focus on one another during life’s hardest moments.

This assistance helps cover urgent travel and unexpected expenses when families need to gather quickly, care for a loved one, or attend memorial services. Grants are also available for active-duty members facing the death of a spouse or dependent child, helping ease sudden financial burdens during times of grief.

Tragedy assistance helps families and shipmates focus on one another during life’s hardest moments.

In 2025, 21 Coast Guard families received tragedy assistance support. In 2024, 23 families received support, including assistance that helped families and shipmates travel for memorials, remain close during loss, and navigate difficult periods of recovery.

Whether helping loved ones gather after a death, supporting members facing critical injury or chronic illness, or ensuring shipmates can honor one of their own, tragedy assistance provides compassionate help when it is needed most. It reflects the Foundation’s commitment to standing beside Coast Guard families in moments of grief, healing, and remembrance.

Michael Horan

In January 2025, Coast Guard Foundation support helped ensure nine Coast Guard members could attend the memorial service for Reserve Chief Warrant Officer Michael Horan, who was killed in the line of duty as a Greensboro, North Carolina, police officer in December 2024.

That support allowed shipmates to honor Mike’s life together and be present for his family during a time of profound loss.

“Your support was very much appreciated as we were able to celebrate Mike’s life, as a crew. That wouldn’t have happened without the Coast Guard Foundation.”
— BMCS Todd Ghormley, shipmate and friend