A Father’s Mission: Supporting WWP to Honor His Son

Leaving the military often marks the start of a new chapter — one that can be full of opportunity. But it often means stepping away from the routines, the structure, and the sense of mission overnight. Civilian life can leave many veterans searching for purpose and belonging, as well as how to cope with their mental health, including symptoms of challenges related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mike Swartz understands this on a deeply personal level. His son, Eric, felt a strong call to serve from an early age. A visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy at age 12 sparked his belief that “it is my obligation to serve my country.”

Mike describes Eric as strong, driven, and a natural leader — but also as someone whose kindness and compassion stood out just as much as his accomplishments. Eric served for more than five years in the Air Force. Though his service was a source of pride, certain experiences stayed with him after his service ended. He passed away in 2011.

Today, Eric’s spirit of service lives on through his family’s creation of the Swartz Wingman Foundation, which supports Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). “This is a way for Eric to keep helping others. His mission of service goes on,” said Mike. “It’s also about making sure no other family has to face the same heartbreak without support.” 

WWP talked with Mike to learn more about Eric and how keeping his legacy alive plays an important role in healing. 

A Father’s Tribute

It has been almost 15 years since Mike lost his son, but every time he talks about Eric, love and pride are obvious. The bond between father and son is undiminished, but so are the raw emotions over losing his only child to mental health challenges.

Growing up, Eric was the quintessential “all-American boy” — good-looking, athletic, academically gifted, and always able to bring laughter to a room.

“He was an incredible young man — respectful, helpful, and ambitious,” Mike said. “He was always willing to do for others. Whether it was mowing a neighbor’s lawn without expecting to get paid, or stepping up as a leader among friends, he naturally looked out for people.”

Eric’s loyalty and drive were rooted in values he learned from his father. “I always believed everyone should serve, and that sense of duty and pride was part of Eric’s upbringing,” Mike explained.

Eric excelled as a distinguished cadet at the Air Force Academy, showing his dedication to excellence. Chad Austin, an assistant professor of law, praised Eric in a letter to his father: “I have taught over 500 students at both the Naval and Air Force Academies, and C2C Swartz ranks within the top 1%. Eric’s intellectual curiosity, natural leadership, and genuine care for others set him apart.”

Austin added, "[Eric] is a natural leader who inspires confidence in his peers and ... who is always looking out for 'his' people."

The Strain of Mental Health

The National Center for PTSD estimates that about 29% of post-9/11 veterans will develop PTSD sometime in their lives. Symptoms of PTSD may not appear until weeks, months, or even years after an event and can include irritability, anger, isolation, and sleep disruption.

Mike admits it was hard to recognize how deeply PTSD affected Eric. “At first, he seemed fine, and then suddenly he’d do something wild or act out, which wasn’t him. We didn’t know what to do,” said Mike.

Though Eric sought help, Mike believes people didn’t understand PTSD well enough at the time for his son to receive care that might have made a difference. He hopes to change that for others.

“Having a robust support system matters," said Mike. "Parents and families aren’t experts, but organizations like Wounded Warrior Project can step in to be that resource."

Leaving a Legacy Through Education and Awareness

According to the most recent WWP Warrior Survey,* more than 6 in 10 WWP warriors say they are living with one or more mental health conditions.

• 80% report having anxiety. 
• 77% report having PTSD.
• 77% report having depression.
• More than 1 in 4 say they had suicidal thoughts in the past year.

Funds from the Swartz Wingman Foundation allowed WWP to develop training kits that help teach people how to:

• Recognize the warning signs of mental health challenges.
• Start lifesaving conversations.
• Connect anyone struggling to care.

The materials are fundamental to improving lives. “This isn’t just about a crisis moment. It’s about making sure people don’t feel alone; that they have resources and someone to turn to,” Mike said.

“I wanted to honor Eric and make sure that other veterans don’t go without the help that they need. Donating to Wounded Warrior Project is a way to do both, as the organization has the reach, the programs, and the trust to connect with veterans who might otherwise slip through the cracks,” he said.

“If Eric had more of that, maybe his story would have been different.”

Learn more about how WWP is helping drive conversations around mental health.

*Warrior Survey, Wave 3 (conducted June 15 - Aug. 24, 2023)

Contact: Cynthia Weiss – Public Relations, cweiss@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.738.2589

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is our nation’s leading veteran services organization, focused on the total well-being of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts help warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent veteran suicides. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.