Local Veteran, Police Officer Seeking to Establish Foundation to Support Vets, Service Personnel, First Responders, Families
An area veteran and a police officer are working to launch a new organization, The Iron Lantern Foundation, designed to support veterans, first responders and their families.
Slater Scheurich of Macomb, and his brotherin- law, Danny Barth, who is a police officer with Western Illinois University's Office of Public Safety, are working to establish The Iron Lantern Foundation (ILF) for veterans, service members, first responders, spouses and family members. The men are looking for individuals interested in serving on the Foundation's board, including a secretary and treasurer, so the foundation can officially move ahead.
Scheurich is currently the chair, with Barth serving as vice chair.
Open Iron Lantern Foundation Board positions include treasurer, secretary, director of fundraising, development director of programs and services, director of marketing and communications and general at-large Board members.
The ideal candidates will bring integrity, community- minded leadership and a heart for service, he pointed out. Professional experience is welcome, but not required as a 'passion and a purpose matter most.'
'We are forming a compassionate, mission-driven leadership team dedicated to supporting those who serve, and the families who support them,' he shared.
'The Iron Lantern Foundation strengthens the lives of men and women of service and the families who stand behind them-through community, purpose and resilience-building experiences. We believe no one serves alone. Our mission is to help individuals and families reconnect with identity, direction, support and personal growth.'
Through the Foundation, Scheurich and Barth want to forge connections, offer workshops, provide mentorship opportunities and provide support and sessions to help with emotional wellness, skill-building, community service projects, family retreats and more.
According to Scheurich, who was an E-6 Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Army, the ILF grew out of his own struggles over the past year while adjusting to civilian life. He shared that he tried a semester of college and worked a handful of different jobs, but nothing felt like the right fit.
'I loved being home with my wife and kids, but I felt unanchored, like the purpose
and structure the Army
provided had vanished overnight. As I reflected on what might have made my transition easier, I started talking with friends who had recently left the service or were preparing to. I asked what they felt they needed most. Again and again, the themes were the same: the loss of community, the absence of shared purpose, and the need for mentorship on both the giving and receiving end,' Scheurich explained.
'Originally, the idea focused solely on veterans. But after talking with Danny, it became clear that first responders often face similar transitions, pressures and emotional challenges.
We realized this needed to be a place for multiple service-oriented professions; veterans, law enforcement, fire/EMS, and others whose jobs revolve around serving their communities.'
Scheurich joined the U.S. Army in July 2015, immediately following graduation from Buckley (IL) High School. After completing basic training, he was stationed at Camp Vilseck, Germany for two years, serving as a machine gunner and Radio Telephone Operator. During his time in Europe, he completed two NATO rotations, including Lithuania and Poland. After Germany, he moved to Fort Hood, TX, for four years, and completed a ninemonth rotation to South Korea during that time. His final duty was in Evansville, IN where he served as an Army Recruiter for over three years. Scheurich officially separated from the Army last November, concluding my service as an E-6 Staff Sergeant.
'I believe this foundation is necessary for the wellbeing of both our community and the people who work tirelessly to serve it. Our first goal is to create a reliable support network, not just for veterans and first responders, but for their families, who often carry the unseen weight of service,' Scheurich concluded. 'For me personally, this is the first mission that has truly reignited my sense of purpose since leaving the Army. I want to help others navigate the uncertainty of transition and provide a space where first responders and veterans can find peace, connection and renewed stability so they can continue serving with fewer worries weighing them down.'
For more information on the Foundation and/or how to join the Board, contact Scheurich at (309) 997-2470
