For families in the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) community, uncertainty is a familiar challenge—one that Operation Healing Forces is committed to easing through direct support and connection. But when Victoria Richwine of Sneads Ferry, NC—spouse of a Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) operator stationed near Camp Lejeune—learned her two-year-old son, Weston, had been diagnosed with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), the weight of the unknown grew even heavier. Affecting just 1 in 2 million people, FOP is a rare and progressive condition in which muscle and soft tissue gradually turn to bone.
In circumstances like these, the need for connection becomes as vital as medical care. For SOF military families in Jacksonville, NC and beyond, especially those navigating rare diagnoses while managing the unique pressures of service life, that sense of community can be difficult to find. This is where Operation Healing Forces steps in—because supporting military children must extend beyond financial aid to foster belonging, understanding, and hope.
A Helping Hand in a Difficult Journey: Supporting the Richwine Family
When the Richwine family received an invitation to the IFOPA Family Gathering in Dallas, the opportunity to meet with medical experts and connect with others living with FOP felt invaluable—but financially out of reach. Operation Healing Forces, a military charity organization supporting the SOF community, recognized the need and stepped in to fund flights, hotel, registration, and transportation, enabling the entire family to attend.
At the gathering, the Richwines spoke directly with medical specialists, received helpful tools for daily care, and found a rare sense of connection. Sibling sessions gave Weston’s brothers and sisters a chance to bond with others facing similar challenges—an often-overlooked aspect of military child support.
“It’s so lonely when there might be one other family in all of North Carolina dealing with this,” said Victoria. “Words cannot express the gratitude. It has been a really hard year and a half, doing this alone and facing the unknowns.”
Honoring the Month of the Military Child
April marks Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the resilience, strength, and sacrifices of military-connected children in communities like Camp Lejeune. Stories like Weston’s highlight the often unseen challenges these children face—not just from frequent moves or deployments, but from navigating complex medical journeys with limited support. Celebrating military children means showing up for them, especially in their hardest moments.
Meeting Urgent Needs for SOF Families
Operation Healing Forces delivers direct support through its Immediate Needs Program—designed to respond to critical, time-sensitive situations for SOF families across the country. In 2024, this program assisted 2,274 individuals, allocating more than $1.5 million to cover emergency travel, housing, medical needs, and family support.
During difficult times, providing support to military children is about more than covering expenses—it’s about reassuring families they’re not facing challenges alone. To help support our nation’s Special Operations Forces families consider making a donation to support veterans today. Your gift provides the connection, care, and community these families need in their most challenging times.
