Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/366131
As Lewis remembers his career, he recounts many stories of losing com- rades and close friends in the armed forces, whether in training, combat or from suicide. In addition to the grief of losing a friend, the Lewises saw the struggles for the families left behind. "There was a common thread for many of these families in that the major- ity were young families with young children," Lewis says. "I had to ask, 'Who is going to look out for them now?'" For years, the Lewises helped sup- port the families of fallen soldiers. "The initial reaction is usually to set up a scholarship fund," Lewis says. "There are grief counselors and camps that help in healing, as well as programs that take families on outings." But the Lewises found an overall gap in consistent, daily support. While scholarship funds would be beneficial for children as they contin- ued their educations, Lewis wondered what could be done for them in the meantime. "We can't replace that parent, but we can help them find a passion or an outlet, help them engage in activities that their parent could have done with them," Lewis says. Out of their passion, Angels of America's Fallen was created. Through the program, children of fallen military and first responders are able to engage in lessons and ac- tivities each year until they turn 18. The child chooses his or her interest and Angels of America's Fallen pro- vides support – financial, emotional and administrative – to facilitate the activity. "There is so much value in engag- ing in athletics, activities, the arts, that we want to give each child the tools to continue to heal and succeed in their areas of interest," Lewis says. More than 450 children in Ala- bama are enrolled in the program. While there is a waiting list all across the country for children to join, in Alabama, every child of a fallen military hero or first responder is involved. "We would have a wait list for Alabama children, too. Instead, be- cause of Alabama Power's support, every eligible child who has registered up to this point is able to be in the program." Lewis says. In addition to devel- opment and character building, the possibil- ity for a mentor in each activity is an added bonus. The Lewises reach out to each coach and instruc- tor before a child starts an activity to inform them of the child's background, encouraging the adult to be a mentor and providing resources. 12 File photo provided by Joe Lewis. Trey Green of Mobile follows in the footsteps of his father, Police Officer Steven Green, as he pursues his love of football.