About
Picture courtesy of Murfreesboro Daily News Journal - Photo by Aaron Thompson
It is with humility as parents that we aim to keep the legacy of the soldier alive by celebrating the birthday of his/her children.
The inspiration of “A Soldiers Child” Birthday Foundation came while Daryl Mackin, founder of ASC, was preparing for his own 6 year old son’s surprise birthday party. Like most parents, he got caught up in all of the “chores” to pull off the celebration.
I quickly lost sight of the joy of the moment. I was sitting at my computer at work, where on my wall I have a memorial of Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski. Marc is the son of my neighbors, Henry and Fay Golczynski, and a fallen solder of the Iraq war. I also have a very moving picture of Marc’s son Christian receiving his father’s flag. This photo by Aaron Thompson won photo of the year. It went all over the world. As I finished typing out my son’s invitations and gave a big sigh of frustration, I looked up at my wall. I was immediately convicted in my spirit for my negative attitude. My heart turned to Christian Golczynski, who will never be able to have a party planned by his dad.
There are many children like Christian that will never receive another birthday gift from their father/mother because they gave their life while defending our freedoms.
Likewise the fallen soldier will never be able to give their child a surprise birthday party, a bicycle for their son, a necklace for their daughter or financial assistance for their child’s first car or pursuit of higher education.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus Andrew “Marc” Golczynski (Christian’s father) wrote this in a letter to his mother shortly before he died in combat,
We are warriors… we fight and sometimes die so that our families don’t have to… Stand beside us.
That is the intention of “ASC”.
As citizens of the United States of America, we are forever indebted to the men and women who so unselfishly protect our freedoms.
It is our objective to communicate through “A Soldiers Child” to the children left behind, that the memory of their parent will not fade away. We want them to know that there are many Americans that are forever grateful for their parent’s sacrifice.
It is with humbleness in heart that we aim to honor the memory of the parent by giving a meaningful gift on the birthday of their son/daughter.
We endeavor to start with one child at a time, Christian Golczynski being the first. On May 24th 2008 during a special ‘bust’ ceremony to honor his father in his home town of Lewisburg TN. It was very moving.
Our goal is to reach every Soldiers Child, to adopt that child into the foundation until they are of adult age. We can’t substitute the bond and love of the parent that is forever gone, but with your help we can show them that we really do care.
