Rising Stars: Meet Laura Herzog

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Herzog.

Hi Laura, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was a civilian Public Affairs Officer for a local military base, and I found what is now my calling. Honoring Our Fallen helps bridge the gap between the military and the Families we support. Through my work with the military, I also realized we wanted to assist our other Heroes – Police, Fire, and Rescue Heroes – who sacrifice their safety and time away from their Family every day to protect us at home. I had no idea that my job from 2009 to 2011 was going to show me what I needed to learn in order to follow God’s plan for my life, and that is the service to grieving families.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been smooth. Working as a civilian in a military and first responder world was a process and not easy as an “outsider coming in to offer support. The challenges of being a new not-for-profit organization and needing to raise funds for programs and services wasn’t easy either. Thankfully I was able to work without a salary so all monies raised were all to support programs and services.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The constant grief takes its toll me self-care includes talking with a therapist. But she doesn’t consider her efforts – often coming back-to-back without a break – a burden, especially in the wake of the sacrifices the families and service members have made.

And, she said, her family helps make her work easy by embracing what she does.

“I get asked at least once a day, sometimes even more, ‘How do you do this?’” she said. “I don’t do it. God does it. I just show up. I do what I can to support them on the darkest day of their lives. I do what I hope they’d do for me.”

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I listen to a lot of sermons, and I love listening to Charles Stanley, Jack Hibbs, Greg Laurie, and David Jeremiah.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.honoringourfallen.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honoringourfalleninc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honoringourfallen
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@HonoringOurFallen?si=XMMU32uoQuI-zhBG