Dwyerfire Goldstar Foundation

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Dwyerfire Goldstar Foundation The DWYERFIRE Goldstar Foundation empowers Gold Star Children by providing support and mentorship through sports and fitness.

Today, we honor Peter Kraines. A 2010 graduate of VA Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, Peter enlisted in the Air Force...
10/08/2026

Today, we honor Peter Kraines. A 2010 graduate of VA Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, Peter enlisted in the Air Force in March 2011, following his dream to become an Air Force pararescueman to serve others. He immediately entered the two-year pararescue training program and, upon graduation, was assigned to 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, Georgia. In March 2017, Peter assessed and was selected to join Special Tactics, assigned to Ft. Bragg. Peter was assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing when, on October 8, 2019, he died from injuries sustained in a training incident while performing mountain rescue techniques in Boise, Idaho.

Peter did it all. He was a military static-line jumper, free fall jumper, an AF combat scuba diver, and certified as an emergency medical technical. He was specially trained and equipped for immediate deployment into combat operations to conduct combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations. But the most important roles to Peter were being a cherished husband, loving father, and true friend. Peter left behind his two-year-old son, Harbor, and his wife who was 20 weeks pregnant with their second child, Hazel. Peter is also survived by his parents and four sisters and their families.

DWYERFIRE GOLDSTAR Foundation is honored to support Harbor and Hazel in their sports and fitness journeys. Today, nine year old Harbor and six year old Hazel are both involved in swim and soccer. We’re proud of both of them as we watch them heed the words their father had written in a letter to Harbor: “Remember to always be strong and courageous and to love and protect those around you at all times.”

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Grant Wilson was born June 14, 1982, in Dunedin, Florida. As a youth, Josh loved being o...
09/28/2026

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Grant Wilson was born June 14, 1982, in Dunedin, Florida. As a youth, Josh loved being outdoors, but he was most at home on his boat fishing. When Josh joined the Coast Guard in September 2003, it was a natural fit. His many Coast Guard assignments include Yorktown, VA; San Diego, CA; Honolulu, HI; Kings Bay, GA, and Alameda, CA. After almost 19 years on active duty, Josh died suddenly on September 28, 2022. His children were 7, 5, and 23 months old. Today we remember Josh as a football fan and fisherman who enjoyed smoking barbecue and spending time with his family. We remember him as a devoted father whose greatest joy was spending time with his kids, teaching them how to ride their bikes and play baseball. DWYERFIRE is honored to support Elizabeth, Joshua, and Gunner in their sports and fitness activities. Today, and every day, we honor their father and his service to our nation.

09/27/2026

Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. Not a day any mother or family wants to be remembered on. Today we honor the mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, spouses and children— whose worst nightmare became reality.

These mothers, these families will never be at a redeployment, promotion, or retirement ceremony. They’ll never get a Facetime call on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays. They’ll never get a call complaining about the drivers on I-24, excited about their son’s touchdown pass. They’ll never hear them order another spicy chicken sandwich at the drive-through window. They’ll never hear them ask how you’re doing, when you’re coming to visit. These mothers, these families will never get another hug.

Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day is about the parents who taught, guided, worried, and watched their children become adults. It’s about the siblings who played, fought, laughed, and figured out life together. It’s about families whose love, values, and patriotism helped instill a sense of duty and selfless service in their child. It’s about families who somehow have to balance their immense pride in the hero they raised, with intense, unbearable grief in losing them.

So how can we truly honor these families?

If you don’t know a Gold Star Family, consider supporting an organization that does. DWYERFIRE, Tunnels to Towers, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Nightstalker Foundation, and so many others work every day to support Gold Star Families.

If you do know a Gold Star Family, reach out to them. Send a text or email. Leave a voicemail. Let them know that you remember their son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, or parent.

Despite the sadness, there is pride in knowing our loved one served and lived for a greater good. There is comfort in knowing they made a difference. That they were loved — and that they are remembered.

We’ll always remember our Fallen Heroes. Today we remember the Gold Star mothers and families who live with their absence every day.

See you November 9 in Little Rock at the DWYERFIRE Golf Scramble! Join us for a fun day of golf on a beautiful course to...
09/24/2026

See you November 9 in Little Rock at the DWYERFIRE Golf Scramble!
Join us for a fun day of golf on a beautiful course to support Gold Star Children!

If you’re not able to attend, consider sponsoring a hole or donating whatever you can!
Thanks for your support! Mahalo!

On September 21, 2010, Army Lieutenant Colonel Rob Baldwin, 39 years old, gave his life in a UH-60 helicopter crash whil...
09/21/2026

On September 21, 2010, Army Lieutenant Colonel Rob Baldwin, 39 years old, gave his life in a UH-60 helicopter crash while supporting combat operations in Qalat, Afghanistan. An Aviation Liaison Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, at Ft. Campbell, Rob was survived by his wife, Danielle, and four children, Rachel, Meaghan, Keegan, and Patrick.

Rob was born August 11, 1971, in Rock Island, Illinois. A graduate of Western Illinois University where he was enrolled in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Program, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and branched Aviation. Rob’s professional awards are many, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Senior Army Aviator badge.

Rob lived life fully. He was an educator who loved to learn and read; he held two masters’ degrees, one in Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, and one in Adult Education from Kansas State University. He was an outdoors enthusiast and sports fanatic; he loved basketball, rugby, golf, and hunting. But, most of all, Rob was a husband and father. Spontaneous, fun, hard-working, and loyal, Rob loved his family. Despite the trials of military life, he never missed an opportunity to spend time making memories with them.

When the Baldwin children lost their father, Rachel was eight; Keegan was four; Meaghan was three; Patrick was seven months old.

Today, sixteen years after that horrific day, we are inspired by the strength and resilience of each of these amazing young people. DWYERFIRE is honored to support Patrick, a football player who loves all sports. Today, and every day, we join the Baldwins in honoring their father’s selfless service and continuing his legacy.

One year ago, on September 17, 2025, we lost four heroes. CW3 Drew Cully and CW3 Andrew Kraus were Special Operations Ar...
09/17/2026

One year ago, on September 17, 2025, we lost four heroes. CW3 Drew Cully and CW3 Andrew Kraus were Special Operations Army Aviators assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment when they, along with two crew members, lost their lives in a helicopter accident near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Drew and Andrew left behind so many loved ones — including their children. DWYERFIRE is honored to support Drew’s two sons and Andrew’s two daughters.
Today, we honor Drew Cully. Born May 12, 1990, in Springfield, MO, Drew graduated from Missouri State University in 2013 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army, branching Aviation. Upon graduation from flight school as a Blackhawk pilot, Drew was assigned to the 25th Aviation Brigade in Hawaii before being reappointed as an Aviation warrant officer. As an Aviation warrant, Drew served with the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade at Ft. Riley, Kansas, supporting two operational deployments, and the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade at Ft. Bragg, NC. After a decade of experienced flying, Drew assessed and was selected to be a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, where he was assigned to C Company, 4th Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Drew was intelligent — he earned his Master of Arts degree in Global Security from Arizona State University in 2020. He was humble, dedicated, compassionate and courageous. A natural leader, Drew epitomized professionalism and excellence. But, above all, Drew was so loved. His family was his world, his first priority in all he did. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Layne, and sons, Lennox and Abbott; his parents, sister and her family, and a large extended family — All miss him so much.
Steve met Drew when they were both going through green platoon in the 160th together. Drew’s wife Layne remembers the last time she saw Steve; he was giving her boys high fives in front of their house. We know Steve would expect us to do all we can to support Lennox and Abbott. It’s the least we can do for Drew who gave everything for our nation. We honor this selfless servant, this Fallen Hero, today, and every day.

09/13/2026

41 years ago today, the world became a brighter place.

Stephen Roy Dwyer, Jr., weighing in at a booming 6 pounds, 4 ounces, was born in the 97th General Army Hospital in Frankfurt, West Germany. Life as we knew it would never be the same. Throughout the next 38 years, wherever he went, whatever he did, Steve created ripples — that typically splashed into thundering waves — of positivity, enthusiasm, and love.

Time is a gift that can be taken from us with no warning. Steve should be here. We should be celebrating his 41st year of brightening lives. But we’re not. Time isn't fair.

Love is the gift that endures time. Steve lived and loved with such intensity! The love that Steve spread in his 38 years— all those ripples and waves — didn’t leave this earth when he did. Time may sn**ch the physical body from us, but it can’t take the love. His love endures.

Steve’s love endures with every story we share about him, with everything that makes us think, “Steve would like that” — whether it be a new song, a harder workout, an Eagles win, another Yeti, or our continued love and support for his boys. These are the things that allow Steve’s love to live on.

For us at DWYERFIRE, Steve’s love lives on with every Gold Star Child we support. We know he’d be glad to see us honor him in this way. We know he’d expect nothing less from us.

So, today, let’s celebrate Steve by living with the intensity and mahalo that he embodied. Let’s continue the ripples. Let’s create the waves. Let’s ensure Steve’s love lives on.

Happy Birthday, buddy. We love and miss you so much.

09/07/2026

Where did the summer go? It’s back to school time for our DWYERFIRE athletes! We wish all 66 of our Gold Star kids a great year of learning and growth — in the classroom and on the fields of friendly strife!

DWYERFIRE is grateful to our donors whose generosity allows us to honor Steve and support these kids — who have given more to our nation than any child should ever have to give. We know Steve would be proud of our Gold Star athletes — and he’d be pushing us to enroll the 60 kids on our wait list! We’re working on it!

Have a great year, DWYERFIRE athletes! We’re so proud of you!

Six years ago on August 27, 2020, Staff Sergeant Vincent Marketta gave his life to our country while conducting training...
08/27/2026

Six years ago on August 27, 2020, Staff Sergeant Vincent Marketta gave his life to our country while conducting training with C Company, 1-160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment on San Clemente Island, CA. SSG Marketta, along with his fellow crew member, SGT Tyler Shelton, died from injuries sustained in an aviation accident.
Vinnie, the oldest son of Richard and Mary Marketta of Brick, New Jersey, the older brother of Nicholas, Dominick, and Anthony, left behind his wife, Danielle, and their seven-year-old daughter Gianna.
Vinnie served in C Company, 1st Battalion, as an MD-60DAP Crew Chief for over eight years. A Fully Mission Qualified Crew Chief, flight instructor, section sergeant, and platoon sergeant, he received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with "V" for valor. In August 2022, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) dedicated the Marketta-Shelton Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) site to honor the sacrifices made by Vinnie and Tyler.
Vinnie's legacy impacts so much more than his professional world. His daughter Gianna, now thirteen, began riding horses shortly after she lost her dad.
Initially therapeutic, horse riding has become her passion. Gianna is a competent and confident equestrian, who shares her talents and love for horses as a volunteer at the stables. Both Danielle and Marketta honor Vinnie's memory by demonstrating grace and grit daily. We are inspired by their kindness and resilience. We are proud to honor their Fallen Hero today and every day.

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1556 Hankook Rd, Suite B
Clarksville, TN
37043

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