Returning home from deployment isn’t always a simple transition. Veterans face physical, emotional, and mental challenges that don’t end when boots hit civilian soil. Their families share that burden: spouses who held everything together, children who missed a parent, and communities that sometimes struggle to understand what “coming home” really means.

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, one nonprofit is changing that story. The Rick Herrema Foundation (RHF) creates spaces where veterans and their loved ones can reconnect, heal, and simply be together, without paperwork, without stigma, and without a cost.

Honoring a Hero Through Community 

The foundation is named for Sgt. 1st Class Rick Herrema, a U.S. Army Special Operations soldier who gave his life in Iraq. Those who served alongside him remember him not just for his skill and professionalism, but for something harder to define and impossible to forget.

“Rick was the kind of person who made everyone around him feel lighter, even in the hardest moments,” the foundation shares. “He had a gift for showing up with humor when things were heavy, and with quiet strength when someone needed support. His teammates remember him for his warmth, his kindness, and the way he instinctively looked out for others.”

That spirit is the heartbeat of the Rick Herrema Foundation. Rick believed deeply in taking care of people, and everything RHF does is built to carry that forward.

Rick’s Place: More Than a Park 

At the heart of RHF’s work is Rick’s Place, a 50-acre greenspace near Fort Bragg. It’s not a therapy center or a clinical program. It’s a place for families to breathe, laugh, and reconnect.

Trails wind through shaded areas. Playgrounds, swings, and a 3-story treehouse invite kids to explore. Fire pits and picnic areas provide spots for families to gather. From a sandbox filled with toys and a pond with a fishing dock to a pavilion with picnic tables and outdoor libraries, every corner of Rick’s Place is thoughtfully designed to spark connection.

What makes Rick’s Place truly special is its simplicity. There are no forms to fill out, no qualifications to meet, and no stigma in asking for help. Families just show up. They laugh, play, and leave a little lighter than when they arrived. Every program and event is completely free of charge, because as the RHF puts it, “cost should never be the reason someone misses out on joy and connection.”

Programs That Bring Families Together  

The RHF hosts weekly programs that are thoughtfully designed to turn strangers into community. Messy Mondays invite parents and children to create art together. Work Days encourage hands-on projects like carpentry or gardening, building both skills and camaraderie. Family Fun Days bring games, community meals, and seasonal celebrations to families.

For the Meadows family, these programs have become a cornerstone of their life in Fayetteville:

“RHF has been a monumental part of my family being able to get out and have fun. There is time and effort put into each event and program, with genuine care for the community. My kids and I enjoy the Messy Mondays, which bring so much joy while we learn new art techniques together. The staff working those days are awesome and always make my kids feel valued. We also enjoyed the theater classes available and it was amazing to watch my kids grow in confidence, resilience, and compassion. The experiences we have at RHF are unforgettable, along with the friendships we have made. My family will always cherish our times there.” — The  Meadows Family

A Safe Haven for Military Families  

Life after deployment, and even during it, can feel isolating. Frequent moves uproot families from their communities, children leave friends behind, and spouses carry enormous weight. Rick’s Place offers something rare: a soft landing.

The Garza family knows that feeling firsthand. After 14 years stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington State, their first Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move to Fayetteville was hard on everyone, especially their children, ages 9 and 11, who had never experienced a military move before.

“Our first stop in moving was to attend the Rick Herrema Foundation’s summer event. We appreciated that it was free (because PCSing had financially hurt us) and that it was all military families. We immediately felt welcomed and supported by the RHF staff and families. Further, RHF stepped up to sponsor our daughter’s ballet performance in the local production of the Nutcracker. When we had a difficult time finding businesses to support her, it was RHF who saw the importance of activities for military children. Now, a year in Fayetteville, we continue to attend RHF events and each one further helps us feel connected and a part of a greater military community. We are truly thankful for RHF.” — The Garza Family

Rick’s Place reminds military families that they are not alone, that there is a community ready to welcome them, no matter where the military has taken them.

The Ninja Warrior Course: Fun as a Form of Service 

RHF’s signature Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Challenge is coming up, and it reflects everything the foundation stands for. Completely free to military-affiliated participants and designed for all ages and ability levels, the course was created by Darren Jeffrey, the visionary behind the American Ninja Warrior obstacle courses and a proud RHF Board Member.

“It’s about encouragement, confidence, and having fun together, not competition or being ‘the strongest,’” the RHF shares. “Whether you’re tackling obstacles, cheering from the sidelines, or just soaking in the energy, there’s a place for everyone here.”

When You See It Working

For the team at RHF, the mission comes to life in the stories families share. The Richmond family’s words stopped them in their tracks:

“They are our family away from home. As a military family, we recommend Rick’s Place to all active and non-active military personnel!” — The Richmond Family

“Hearing a family describe Rick’s Place as their ‘family away from home’ is exactly the kind of moment that reminds us why this foundation exists,” the RHF shares. “Rick had a way of making people feel welcomed, supported, and seen. When families experience that same sense of belonging here, his legacy lives on.”

Expanding the Reach 

As of last year, Rick’s Place has served more than 22,000 military family members and plans to reach more this year. And RHF isn’t stopping there. Programs are expanding to Fort Hood, Texas, an opportunity that came directly from the III Corps Commander, who was seeking a trusted community resource for his soldiers and their families.

“What has surprised us most is how deeply people believe in this work,” the RHF reflects. “True patriots — donors, volunteers, partners — continue to stand with us because they recognize that service members and their families already pay a cost to serve. They should not have to pay to connect with each other or their community.”

A Living Legacy  

Rick’s Place is, at its core, a reflection of the man it honors. Someone who showed up. Who looked out for others. Who made everyone around him feel a little lighter. That is what the foundation does, and that is what keeps families coming back.

If you are in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg region, Rick’s Place is open and waiting. If you are in Central Texas, keep an eye out as RHF continues to grow. And if you want to support the mission, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. From training to events, you can witness history in the making and cheer on the families finding their footing together.

The Conversation Continues   

Recently, the Rick Herrema Foundation sat down with Mission Roll Call CEO Jim Whaley and COO Ray Whitaker for a town hall conversation focused on the issues impacting veterans and military families. If you missed it, the recording is worth your time. Stay connected with Mission Roll Call and keep showing up for the veterans and military families who need us to amplify their voices.