Ohio Western Reserve Ladies

 The group was established in 2022 with the main goal of ensuring no Veteran is buried alone. By providing a presence, respect, and honor to the fallen, OWRL provides a source of connection and resources for the community of Veterans families in their time of need. OWRL also provides an opportunity to friends and family of Veterans to give back by joining the group and honoring the fallen.  

 After recognizing a need in the community to honor Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery (OWRNC) burials of Veterans with little or no family, the group pledged to ensure that no Veteran will have an unattended burial. The group was modeled after the Arlington Ladies of Arlington National Cemetery, established in 1948 with this exact mission.

 Incredibly active in the community, OWRL members work to raise awareness and hope to grow to the point they can attend all burials at OWRNC. Currently the group attends Quarterly Salutes for unattended burials throughout the year, various cemetery and community events, and are available to speak at events to share their stories and their mission.

Kat Frey and Becky Clark, the founders of OWRL are more then just volunteers. They both have a personal connection and a passion for honoring our fallen service members.

 Becky retired from the Ohio Army National Guard as a Major in December 2021 and had the honor of serving as a Casualty Assistance Officer/ Casualty Notification Officer, making support for the families of the fallen near and dear to her heart. She is a mom, wife, nurse, college professor, and chicken mom in her spare time along with acting as the co-chair of OWRL. For Becky, her experience as a nurse and as a soldier taught her a great deal about community and support,

“I began my guard time in June 2001, months before the attacks on 9-11. Deploying to Iraq as a medic in OIF II, 2004. a humanitarian mission in Panama, hurricane support in Katrina and Gustav, and community health clinics were just some of the ways I was able to learn and grow my appreciation of service.

One thing the Army does really well is support the families of the fallen through their Casualty Assistance Program. I was honored to have been a part of that. I was able to act as a liaison between the military and the families to provide support and resources where necessary. The clear benefit that this provided those families deserves to be shared with the families of the fallen at OWRNC. “

 

Kat is the daughter of Navy Submariner Frank T. Price, who is interred at OWRNC. She is a mom, business owner, coach, runner, yogi, and chair of OWRL. Kat is also rooted in service through her family and friends,

“For my dad, I was lucky enough to meet some of his shipmates on the USS Triton. I knew my grandfather's WWII co-pilot, Smokey. Those men went to war together.

My best friend’s military comrades meet once a year, from all over the country to see each other and tell their stories of being stationed in Guam together. There is a community that binds them. In death, we can’t expect the families to just walk away from that. So in my eyes, I think OWRL gives families an option to continue that community if they need it. We are here as a resource. We are here as a place to volunteer if they would like, both at the cemetery or in the community.”

 

When talking about their shared experience Kat said,

“This program is more than just graveside services for Becky and me. This is a part of the grief process for those that are still living. This is about the families, and the community, that people need. Especially when your loved one has been in the military. They stood for our country when called, so we make it a priority to stand up at every Final Salute.”

Visit https://www.ohiowesternreserveladies.org/ to learn more or get involved by applying to be an OWR Lady. Follow OWRL on Facebook for the dates and times of the next Final Salute and other events, @OhioWesternReserveLadies.

Contact the team directly:

Kat Frey
kat@oxygencoachinggroup.com
440-371-6029 ext 102

Becky Clark
Clark.1841@yahoo.com
614-557-7010