FOUNDER

Welcome!  My name is Colleen Foster and educating the civilian community on the importance of supporting our military and first responders is a passion of mine.  For the past few years, I've served on various boards that support our military, generated support in our local community for first responders and volunteered my time with both communities.  With all I've seen and heard, it is time for my fellow civilians to get back to supporting and appreciating those who dare to serve to protect us.  

CivilianSalute was created in an effort to bridge the gap that I see existing between the military and civilian communities. After 9/11, many of the opportunities that existed for the two worlds to interact were taken away due to security concerns.  While understandable, this has only created a divide, a lack of appreciation for those who serve and a lack of understanding of the importance of those who dare to serve our country.  They deserve to be honored for their sacrifices and CivilianSalute's mission is to start doing that for them.  

​

When I was a young kid, my parents would take us up to Naval Base Great Lakes on Thanksgiving Day and we'd bring home two soldiers for the day.  It was a very simply yet impactful exercise that showed me that freedom isn't free. That real people with their own families have chosen to serve our country so we could eat our meal in peace.  That sacrifice resonated with me and I've always been deeply appreciative of them. When my own son was born, we would lay flags on graves during Memorial Day weekend, participate in ceremonies and volunteer with organizations who support our active duty and veterans.  But I alway felt like we were one of the few civilian families there.  When I would share our experiences with others, it wasn't that they didn't care, they just didn't know how to get involved.  CivilianSalute is now their resource.

​