Our Mission
"To honor the fallen by supporting those they left behind. Gire House offers a home where Gold Star Families and combat veterans, bound by sacrifice, can reunite, reflect, and gain strength and healing in one another"
The first step towards our mission is to provide temporary free housing within walking distance of Arlington National Cemetery where Gold Star Families and Combat Veterans can gather. If you think this service would be worthwhile to you please APPLY HERE.
For $15 a month you can become a CORNERSTONE MEMBER ensuring Gire House has a firm foundation to build towards our mission. This is a small act that can have a great impact and ensure we honor the fallen by supporting those they left behind.
You Are Not Alone
OUR STORY
SSG Joshua Gire was a Squad Leader and Truck Commander of the lead vehicle in a Route Clearance Patrol (RCP) responsible for clearing routes of obstacles (mainly IEDs) so others could move freely and safely. After completing a mission and clearing a particularly dangerous route in Logar Province in the Tangi Valley of Afghanistan on 22 March 2011, while returning back to their base, SSG Gire’s vehicle was ambushed. SSG Gire and his driver PFC Michael Mahr did not survive this attack.
While SSG Gire and PFC Mahr chose to lead from the front and both accomplished their mission on this day, these fallen heroes both left behind young and growing families. SSG Gire left behind his wife Jackie, his 5 y/o son Nicholas and his 2 y/o daughter Riley. PFC Mahr left behind his wife Stephanie and his 3 y/o son Jadon. On top of this, they both left behind parents, siblings, and countless brothers and sisters in arms.
The years following this traumatic event and others has proven to us that many chose to face this loss alone and they have struggled. Suicide, overdose, violence… It can be difficult to open up to others about loss like this. Surely few could understand the unique experience that one person has faced; however, You Are Not Alone! When you open up you’d be surprised how many people in this world are carrying similar burdens. People who seem to have it all together on the outside fighting battles within.
We have found it easiest to open up to those people who have been impacted by the same sacrifice. This is the mission of Gire House. To give these people, who are bound by this common sacrifice, a safe and free space to gather, remember those they lost and gain strength and healing in the understanding that They Are Not Alone.
Since the loss of SSG Gire and PFC Mahr, there have been two large gatherings like this in Arlington, VA. People traveling from far and wide to honor these fallen heroes. In the process, the people who attended were able to reconnect and deepen their powerful bond; however, too many people cited money as the reason they could not make the trip. Generally, they didn’t “want to be a burden on others.”
Please help us in letting these people know, who have already sacrificed so much, that they could never be a burden. We can share this burden together. We Are Not Alone.
Stories of Strength and Healing
"Heading out to our reunion from Florida, at first the two-day drive seemed immense. But having a couple of the guys ride with me, along with the anticipation of seeing our other brothers, the families of our fallen, and honoring those we lost, made the trip go by fast.
Upon arrival, I knew this was going to be special. As people began showing up, it felt like 50 reunions all happening at once. The friendships known only through this kind of brotherhood were rekindled instantly.
Having a base—a house, a safe place for all of us to gather—was the key to the entire trip. We spent almost a week there with the families of our fallen, following a full daily schedule designed to honor them in the best way we could. Every night, stories were told and retold around “our table” because, for those few days, this had truly become our family home.
Thank you to Gire House, and may God always watch over and bless our fallen and their families."
Stephen Quarles
"I find myself unable to accurately convey the depth of honor I felt when attending a reunion of SSG Gire’s family and comrades at Arlington National Cemetery. Bearing witness to the unbreakable bonds they forged through his great sacrifice is something I wish all Americans could see. It is proof that the impact one has in life can continue long after one’s death.
Being there in person, it was clear that even in the distant wake of his ultimate sacrifice, they continue to hold one another up. People putting their daily troubles aside, traveling far and wide, to prove to one another “you are not alone”. It is not just a phrase—it is a promise."
Abby Malejko
"I never knew how much I needed to be around other veterans to grieve and remember our lost brothers until we all gathered at Gire House. They say these things come in waves and I’d have to agree. You never forget. The memories are always present and having your brothers in arms ride the waves with you makes all the difference.
We were given a house to meet, a rough itinerary to follow, and recommendations for some good spots to go nearby. That’s all I needed to feel confident making the trip from Germany to DC and having the opportunity to share that positive experience with fellow Combat Veterans."
Jason Allen
The Heart of Our Mission
Nassar Jabour
President and Co-Founder
(Veteran)
A veteran who will give whatever it takes to ensure that Gire House successfully accomplishes its mission.
Jackie Gire
Treasurer and Co-Founder
(Gold Star Spouse/Accountant)
A professional with extensive accounting experience to ensure that your donations go exactly where they are needed most.
Michele Struffolino
Secretary/Legal Advisor
(Retired Attorney/Educator)
Adds a wealth of experience as a property law expert and counselor to ensure those that we are serving are well taken care of.
Jessica Ayala-Sherman
Vice President/Technology Advisor
(Former Business Owner/Technology Experience)
A technology expert with entrepreneurial vision to strengthen our organizational infrastructure.
Bobbie Ragsdale
Non Profit Advisor
(Veteran/Non Profit Experience)
A veteran leveraging years of non-profit leadership to help us expand our reach and deepen our community impact.