ABOUT US

Ashes to Honor was born out of a deeply personal journey for Mathew Hernon and his mother, Lisa Sears. When Mathew's grandfather and Lisa's father, John Bagen, was placed on hospice care, Mathew took it upon himself to ensure that John received the military honors he deserved at his funeral.

However, their efforts were met with a heartbreaking realization. Despite days and weeks of searching, there were no records to be found in John's office. It was only later that Mathew and Lisa discovered the devastating truth: John's records had been lost in the fire at the NPRC.

Driven by their own family's experience, Mathew and Lisa embarked on a mission to uncover the truth and seek justice for not only John, but for countless other veterans who had suffered a similar fate. Their investigation led them to uncover hundreds, if not thousands, of similar stories online, highlighting the widespread impact of the NPRC fire.

Determined to make a difference, Mathew dedicated himself to the task of recovering and reconstructing any and all records that could be found. Through tireless efforts and a deep commitment to their cause, Mathew and Lisa navigated the complexities of federal agencies, submitting records requests and Freedom Of Information Act inquiries.

Their perseverance paid off when, after a month of relentless pursuit, Ashes to Honor secured a fiscal sponsor with Veterans Collaborative, marking a significant milestone in their journey to honor the memory of veterans like John Bagen and ensure that no servicemember is forgotten.

On May 17th 2024, John Bagen passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family.

Ashes to Honor is a fiscally sponsored charitable project empowered by Veterans Collaborative, a 501(c)3 organization. Donations collected by Veterans Collaborative will be fully used to support Ashes to Honor. Please contact media@veteranscollaborative.org with any questions. 

https://www.veteranscollaborative.org/