Our Vision
The Stronghold Freedom Foundation was founded to address the toxic exposures of military veterans who were deployed to Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Foundation's mission is to bring awareness to the long-term effects of exposure to toxins that were unknown at the time. We do this by raising awareness of the dangers our veterans were exposed to in their daily lives. The Foundation then utilizes strategic partnerships to help veterans deal with the effects of those exposures.
OUR HISTORY
9/11/2001
Terrorists attack the US
2001
US Forces arrive at K2
2005
The last US Troops Leave K2
2012
Mike West and PJ Widener form the Facebook group
2013
Mike West dies from K2 related cancer
2019
Tara Copp writes her first article on K2
Feb 2020
HR 5957 is introduced by Rep Mark Green and Rep Stephen Lynch
March 2020
Stronghold Freedom Foundation becomes a 501(c)3
July 2020
Additional legislation is introduced
Jan 2021
Section 751 of the 2021 NDAA includes K2 language
Jan 2021
Section 2010 of HR 7105 includes K2 language
Jan 2021
President Trump signs Executive Order 13982
Feb 2021
HR 1355/S 454 is introduced
Our Team
Executive Director
Sarah is the spouse of K2 Veteran David Puerner. She is one of the founders of the Stronghold Freedom Foundation and also serves on the Board of Directors.
Sarah cut her teeth in the non-profit sector as a Volunteer Leader for Team Rubicon. She is a retired first responder and is an Army Veteran.
Deputy Director
Natalie is the surviving spouse of Clayton White, who died of a K2-related illness. She joined the SFF team right after we founded. She has headed up Special Projects and more recently our Strategic Planning Team.
Initiatives Director
Kim is the surviving spouse of LTC Timothy Brooks. Kim joined the SFF team for our first trip to DC, and then joined our Board of Directors. She has spent the last year working to bring the Care and Support Team and our other initiatives to life.
Kim is a school teacher.
Strategic Planning Director
Samantha is the wife of K2 Veteran Brian Fausett. She joined SFF not long after our founding. She has been working on special projects, fundraising, and merchandising. She also assists the Care and Support Team.
Advocacy Director
Mark is a K2 Veteran and heads up our Advocacy team and his team's hard work is why K2 Veterans were recognized with legislation last year. It was Mark's hard work that netted us an Executive Order from President Trump.
Governmental Affiars Director
Steve is a K2 Veteran and leads our Governmental Affairs Team, which includes legislation, advocating governmental agencies, and working with partners that advocate for toxic exposure legislation.
Steve is an airline pilot.
Governmental Affiars Director
Paul is a K2 Veteran and is our Finance Director. He is developing our scholarship program and continues to advise the foundation on how to be more fiscally responsible.
Paul is a retired Air Force Officer and is also on our Board of Directors
Research Director
Ed is a K2 Veteran and is our lead researcher.
Without a strong research team, none of our advocacy initiatives would be possible.
Outreach Director
David is a K2 Veteran and leads our Outreach Team. He also acts as our Civilian Contractor Liaison.
David is a retired C-130 Loadmaster, summer sawyer, and Judo Sensei.
Public Affairs Director
Stephanie is an accomplished Public Information Officer, having served in the role for Fire, EMS, and Police in her career. She is still an active Incident Management Team member and spends her summer working for the Forest Service.
Care and Support Team Director
Daryl is the surviving spouse of K2 Veteran Richard Riddle. She is a retired flight nurse and heads up our Care and Support Team.
Spiritual Team Lead
Rev Farrington is a K2 Veteran and is one of our Chaplains. He leads our Spiritual Care Team.