The Joshua Chamberlain Society has the goal of aiding severely wounded military service members and the families of killed-in-action members of our military who sacrificed all in our service. In what we believe is a unique mission, we adopt these severely wounded veterans as JCS Heroes, and they will stay part of our family for the remainder of their lives, just as their injuries will be with them for the remainder of their lives. To that end, we invite you to visit the "JCS Heroes" tab to learn more about the inspiring stories of some of the best young man this country has to offer, who have sacrificed and lost so much for us.

As the battles in Afghanistan and elsewhere continue to rage, we have been introduced to more wounded warriors than our current funds allow us to adopt. As such, our continued challenge is to raise money in the hopes of serving more and more JCS Heroes. To aid our current JCS Heroes, and ultimately give us the opportunity adopt more, our supporters further our mission in one of three ways. First, we accept cash donations (please visit the DONATE tab, above). Second, we currently hold three fundraising events attended by our supporters - a military-inspired formal dinner, a sporting clays compeition, and a trivia night. Third, we accept in-kind donations, including donations of services, time volunteering at our events, or auction items for our fundraising events. In short, because most Americans are greatly appreciative and proud of the sacrifice endured by the men and women of our armed forces, the Joshua Chamberlain Society is your chance to give and help certain of these heroes who have also given, but lost so much. Please consider contributing in one of the above-listed ways.

To become an official member of the Society, we request a minimum, tax-deductible donation of $100 annually, to fund the Society’s operations and sustain our fundraising efforts. Of course, more significant levels of support are appreciated and important to achieving our long term goal of providing meaningful relief to our family of JCS Heroes. Become a JCS Senior Member with a donation of over $500. Donations of $1,000 or more confer the title of JCS Distinguished Member. Please note that the Society is strictly a volunteer-based organization, so your gifts will go directly to the Heroes we are serving. We are also a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.

A Congressional Medal of Honor winner and Civil War hero, who lived his post-war years dealing with the pain of his war wounds, the namesake of the Joshua Chamberlain Society stands for all the military servicemembers the Society hopes to help - brave and honorable warriors who sacrificed and lost so much in our service. Chamberlain was a college professor at Bowdoin College in Maine when he volunteered to join the Union Army. In his mind, such service to the Union was his not to be questioned, symbolic of a time when citizens of the North lived and breathed Duty, Honor, and Country.

Initially appointed lieutenant colonel of the 20th Maine Regiment, Chamberlain rose to the rank of brigadier general. He achieved fame with his valiant stand atop Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1862. Defending the far left end of the Union line, Col. Chamberlain knew that his regiment had to hold down the flank at all cost. Low on ammunition and the 20th Maine almost doubled back upon itself, Col. Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge down the hill. The maneuver, that required unfathomable heroism and bravery by his entire regiment, resulted in the capture of many of the Confederate soldiers and saved the Union’s left flank assuring victory at Gettysburg – a turning point in the war. Chamberlain was also given the honor of commanding the Union troops at the surrender ceremony for the infantry of Robert E. Lee’s Army at Appomattox, Virginia. Indeed, his graciousness and keen sense of the historic nature of this duty was evident as he startled the world by calling his troops to attention to salute the defeated Southern army.

But, for all his bravery and leadership on behalf of the Union during the Civil War, Gen. Chamberlain’s most enduring legacy is his post-war life, living with the wounds of battle. In all, Chamberlain was wounded six times during the course of his service and was cited for bravery in action four times. He died of his war wounds in June 1914, at the age of eighty-three. Therefore, it is in his memory that the Joshua Chamberlain Society works to assist and honor modern-day heroes, and their families, who are similarly dealing with the effects of their service to the United States.