Honoring Robert Rogers' Life of Service and Struggle

We are raising $5,000 to provide a dignified cremation and burial service for our beloved Robert, whose remains will be laid to rest at the cemetery in Chatsworth.

Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marines, serving two voyages to Vietnam at just 19 years old. Like so many young men of his generation, the experience left deep scars. He returned home changed and lived the rest of his life navigating the challenges of a disabling mental health condition, later diagnosed as schizophrenia and addiction to cigarettes.

Despite these struggles, Robert had a quiet strength and resilience. His life reminds us of how deeply war and disability can shape a person’s journey–and how important it is to honor the humanity and sacrifice behind the statistics.

This memorial is not only to give Robert the respectful farewell he deserves, but also to bring awareness to the realities many veterans and people with disabilities face–often unseen and unsupported.

The $5,000 raised will go directly toward cremation and burial costs. Any contribution, no matter how small, helps us give Robert the dignity in death that he was so often denied in life.

Thank you for your support and for helping us tell Robert’s story with the care it deserves.