​Our Beginning

In October 2012, Sergeant First Class Joseph Lachnit, Jr. was watching the funeral of a fellow Army Ranger killed in action, Sergeant Thomas MacPherson. It was then he heard MacPherson’s sister, Jess say, “For me, now freedom has a face." Immediately SFC Lachnit told his dad, Joseph Lachnit Sr., “We have to show Americans that freedom has a face.” 

​Freedom Has A Face (FHAF) was founded two months later; soon after SGT Macpherson’s Army Ranger memorial had concluded. With the sound of taps still thick in the air and in clear sight of the ominous black granite obelisk that now bore his name, a small group of Ranger officers and enlisted men came together. Jointly they resolved that America must never forget the sacrifice of our fallen patriots… all of them… back to the Civil War. The name, Freedom Has A Face was unanimously adopted for this effort. Thus, it was with this primal Army Ranger sense of duty, grit and integrity that FHAF was established and remains today. 

What is Freedom Has a Face About? 


Wounded men and women returning home from war are worthy of double honor as well as the gratitude from the nation they so courageously served. Their lives and the lives of their loved ones will visibly never be the same. We thank God that there are many trusted veteran groups and organizations that assist these wounded heroes and their families. 

Conversely, Freedom Has A Face (FHAF) focuses on serving the families of the fallen. Military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice… with their lives. These fallen heroes will never return home to loving and caring family members. Their families lack the help and support of a grateful nation. For the most part, these families suffer in silence. The magnitude of their forever sacrifice exists unseen, below the radar because their wounds are not as visible, nor their needs as photogenic.

FHAF is about serving the families of our fallen heroes; lives that might appear normal from the “street” but inside their homes they will never be the same. FHAF is about a mother who instinctively sets an extra place for Thanksgiving dinner and then suddenly re-lives the agonizing moment she found out her son had been killed in action. FHAF is about a kid sister who frequently smells her brother’s red plaid coat to desperately hang on to any remnant of his presence. FHAF is about a father who simply can’t emotionally deal with his daughter’s death so he goes inside himself where no one can reach him… not even himself. And finally, FHAF is about spouses who abruptly become grieving single parents whose children will be raised with only the memory of their loving and heroic parent. 

FHAF is about doing the “hard work” – taking the time to get to know these “wounded” families, mining their needs, and faithfully providing for them. This might include offering to repair a car, fix a roof, or catch them up on overdue bills. 

FHAF’s vision is to engage a grateful nation, in patriotic unity, to become involved in the lives of the families of these fallen heroes. To stand in the place of those that gave their lives on the battlefield so you and your family members wouldn’t have to. If these heroic men and women could speak they would say to you: 
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I lived here, I loved here, left footprints on this land.
I bled here, I died here, remember where I took my stand.
From our music video: Freedom Has A Face 
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​No matter which side of the political fence you occupy, where you stand on social issues, or the opinions of faith you hold; the one thing that unites us all as a nation is our freedom. The gift of freedom paid for by others with their very lives. If these heroes could ask one thing from us it would be to take care of their loved ones. That is what Freedom Has A Face is about and that is what FHAF is doing. Please click the link: Gifts of Gratitude to find out more about FHAF’s latest effort to reach out to these families. 

Won’t you please consider giving generously to our mission of serving the families of our fallen heroes? Please help us make sure that America never forgets their sacrifice for our freedom. 
​

THE Founders

Joseph J Lachnit Jr.

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Original visionary and co-founder of FHAF, currently serving as a Master Sergeant , with 14 out of 19 years in Army Special Operations, including 15 deployments to the Middle East. His commitment to honor the fallen includes him leading a team to the top of Mt. McKinley, AK to lay the names of Rangers recently killed in action on its summit. MSG Lachnit presently holds the highest Top Secret clearance available. 

Joseph J Lachnit Sr.

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Mr. Lachnit has 20+ years  of business experience with two international non-profits, one with offices in 55 countries and the other with 100+ international affiliate offices. Joe Sr. is currently serving as Executive Director of Freedom Has A Face. ​

THE Board of Directors

Joel Rohrs

Vice President of Andersen construction, Western Region Joel oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in building throughout Washington State and beyond. He has a passion for the military, veterans and in particular our fallen military and their families.  https://www.andersen-const.com.

Rick Hooker

​A former senior trainer for Itron, an international multi-billion dollar technology company. Rick has extensive knowledge in the Adobe platform and developing cutting-edge media presentations. His skills include filming/editing, audio engineering and webcasting.

Didi MacPherson

​Gold Star Mother of SGT Thomas MacPherson, KIA October 2012. It was Didi's daughter, Jessica that first penned the phrase, “freedom has a face.” Didi MacPherson is currently president of Alliance Printing Associates. http://www.apabrandu.com

SMG. Ray Barrett

​SGM Ray Barrett (Retired) – Olympia, WA:  Former U.S. Army, 75th Ranger Regiment retired (24 years). Currently Operational Advisor, Yorktown Systems Group Inc. 

Barbara Hollace

Works in the NYC financial community for CallStreet, a division of FactSet. Barbara is an editor at large and conducts seminars for new writers. She has also written 12 novels and has been published in 14 books. Barbara is proudly the wife, daughter and granddaughter of military veterans. 

Matt Crotty

Criminal Attorney of Crotty and Son PLLC. Matt is a former Army Ranger and retired from the Washington Army National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel and Company Commander at Ft. Murray, WA. ​
​http://www.crottyandson.com

Garry Thomas

​ A master senior programmer, Mr. Thomas has been  doing various forms of programming since the use of punch cards. Garry is currently, owner and operator of Camp Noodle, an all inclusive website for camps.  Garry is directly responsible for the architecture of the FHAF website. 
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FREEDOM HAS A FACE