Gold Star Mom-Healing the Hero Coach
New Hampshire
Susan Peterson – Gold Star Mother | Advocate | President of Operation Renewed Freedom
Susan Peterson lives in Cartersville, Kentucky with her husband Bill, their two loyal German Shepherds, and three beloved cats. She is the proud mother of two sons: Chaplain John Peterson, who tragically died by suicide on December 4, 2023, and Alex Peterson, a U.S. military veteran currently serving with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Honolulu, where he works tirelessly to help recover and return America’s missing service members from past conflicts. Susan is also a loving grandmother to five girls and one boy who bring great joy to her life.
The daughter of a World War II veteran who landed at Normandy, Susan is an Air Force brat who has carried the spirit of service throughout her life. From volunteering in hospice care to supporting military families as part of Family Readiness Groups in New Hampshire from 2004 to 2017, she has been a steady source of strength for those navigating the challenges of military life. During her time in New Hampshire, she served as Vice President of the Blue Star Mothers of NH and as a liaison to Gold Star Families, offering compassion and connection to those bearing the weight of profound loss.
Today, Susan leads Operation Renewed Freedom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and Gold and Blue Star Families rediscover peace and purpose—partnering with horses to facilitate healing and renewed freedom. Her mission is deeply personal, rooted in faith and forged through grief. Since John’s passing, she has courageously shared his story with veterans, families, and survivors of suicide, offering her voice as a beacon of hope, resilience, and remembrance.
Susan walks alongside those who serve and those who have lost, carrying a sacred commitment to honor God in this new chapter of life. With unwavering compassion and a heart anchored in service, she continues to stand with the hero community—offering presence, healing, and purpose to those who need it most.
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