Do you know a single person who died serving our country within your lifetime?

Do you know a single person who died serving our country within your lifetime?
For most civilians, the answer is probably “no.”
So let me introduce you to Major Tobin Josiah Lewis (“Toby”), an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Our stories are forever intertwined.

First, because of our families.
In December 2022, we moved two miles from the back gate of Marine Corps Base Hawaii. My brother was a Marine and lived on base. Toby's family lived a few streets over.

Toby was deployed for most of our first eight months on island, but he and I crossed paths a few times. Church. Cookouts. Plus, he drove an iconic little blue truck that was easy to spot around base.

Most of our connection came through our wives and daughters, who became fast friends. Then, on August 26, 2023, three U.S. Marines were killed in an Osprey aircraft crash in Australia.

We quickly learned Toby was one of the pilots.

I remember when we got the news. I was sitting at an EV charging station near the Atlanta airport, preparing to fly back to Hawaii after a work trip.

I had just left my cofounders at SupportNow.

We were in the middle of a massive company transition. I was actively rebuilding the platform to focus on helping families rally support during major life events, but launch was weeks away.

It was all stuff that felt super important at the time until suddenly it didn't.

When I landed in Hawaii later that day, events in our community were unfolding quickly.

- More details
- Logistics
- Meals
- Travel on/off island
- Household needs

My sister-in-law reached out and asked:
“Aren't you building something for all this?”

It seems obvious now, but everything felt delicate then. New friendships suddenly navigating unimaginable hardship. Their family's grief. My brother's military community... and my unfinished software?

To say I was reluctant would be an understatement.

My wife was reluctant too. The woman has no pokerface. She always becomes relentless when friends and family are involved, and kept asking, “Are you SURE you can handle this?” With a look that said, "Don't f* it up."

---

So, we launched early.
I'm proud we did.

The Lewis Family will forever be the first campaign on SupportNow. Since then, we've helped thousands of families raise millions of dollars, but it’s hard to outshine the significance of this photo and the faces within it.

Memorial Day became deeply personal for our family in the months and years that followed.

My wife and Meredith still message constantly.
My kids speak Toby's name when we talk about sacrifice, honor, and remembering those who died serving our country.
And I think of Toby every time I see military aircraft, little blue trucks, and when I kiss my daughters goodnight.

Freedom and liberty are not products that our country bought.
They are prices continually paid by the men and women who serve our country, and by their families who sacrifice alongside them.

Happy Memorial Day.