What will we expect to receive?

Along with the life-size portraiture bronze bust that will be placed in the pre-arranged public setting, a lightweight fiberglass*
*The families will have a choice of either a fiberglass or white marble

Our family would like another bust made, is this possible?

Yes!  Look for more information regarding this coming soon!

Will the information I submit be kept confidential?

Yes!  The information about your hero and your family will be kept and used only for the purpose of creating the bust and will not be shared with anyone beyond the ONF organization.  Detailed information about this can be found on the ONF Application.

What does CDP stand for?

Operation Never Forget is proud to be an official program of the Congressional District Programs. The Congressional District Programs is a 501(c )3 Public Charity. All donations must be made payable to:  

Congressional District Programs, in memo line note ONF  Acc’t # 5009780.

Congressional District Programs (CDP) is a public charity dedicated to the development and support of NON DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS (some call them “field of interest” funds). These funds may have a local or a global focus.   

• CDP is a separate, independent public 501(c)(3) charitable corporation sharing staff responsibilities with the NHF/DAF.
• Each CDP project will have a Program Manager, who may not be a donor, nor may his or her family be donors. The Program Manager should be selected for his or her enthusiasm, knowledge and support of the chosen charitable field of interest.          
• Donors will not be permitted to be advisors to the project in regard to either disbursements or investments. Nor may a donor receive reimbursement for program-related expenses, compensation or any other payment from any CDP Program to which he or she donates. Support for the project will be derived from fund raising from the public or grants from foundations, government agencies or other third party organizations.
• The Program Manager will work with a Project Director, a staff member of CDP, and the final decisions as to distributions and investments will be made by top CDP staffers.  
• The CDP will contact the Congressman’s office where the project is located to inform him or her of what the nature of the charitable activities are going on in the Congressional District, and elicit from the office support for the project being undertaken.
• No incorporation is necessary for projects approved as CDP's: they will all be “projects" of Congressional District Programs, Inc. Each project will be identified by its project name, and will use the Employer Identification Number issued to CDP by the IRS.

"Operation Never Forget, is a project of Congressional District Programs, Inc - A registered 501(c)(3) Public Charity." 

How are funds raised by ONF allocated and used for charitable purposes?

Funds raised in the name of Operation Never Forget are allocated by Congressional District Programs (CDP) to Operation Never Forget. These allocated funds will be used by Operation Never Forget to carry out tax-exempt purposes of CDP which are expressed through Operation Never Forget, an internal division of CDP. The Board of Directors of CDP is vested with complete power and authority in terms of allocating funds to Operation Never Forget, and authorizing expenditures of Operation Never Forget. All donations belong exclusively to CDP. Congressional District Programs is a 501(c)3 Public Charity.

I know a fallen hero, how do I request a bust be made?

• Simply fill out the ONF Application along with the requested information and mail to

What information is required?

• ONF Application, signature required

• Report of Casualty DD Form 1300

• 8x10 color photo in ‘dress-blue’ uniform

• 8x10 color photos of heroes that show profile

• The best straight-on photo available

• An informal description about the hero, their likes and dislikes, hobbies, highlights, a little(or a lot) about him/her…help us get to know him/her.

How long will it take for the bust be made and delivered?

Once the ONF Application is received, a receipt number is immediately assigned so that each bust is built according to its receipt number.  Definite time frames for completion of each bust cannot be pre-determined at this time of our project.  As the project grows and funding becomes readily available, we will be able to set fairly reasonable commitment schedules.  Until then, each hero will begin to be forever memorialized in the order the applications arrive. 

 The assigned family contact person will be notified just before the building will begin, allowing time for the family to make arrangements for acceptance and for any special events planning.  Contact will be made by one of the assigned artists if further information is required. 

What happens next?

The sculpting of your hero begins.  At a specific time during this process, photographs will be emailed to the designated address and communications will begin between the family and the artist. 

 This process will continue until the family is satisfied that the sculpting of the portraiture is perfect and reflects the image of their hero.

How is a bust made?

• There are three basic steps; sculpting-molding-casting

• Once the sculpting is approved, the mold making begins which is the tool used to make the bronze or marble castings.  The castings then require hand craftsmanship to remove any casting flaws and are then completed with polishing and/or sealing.

Are there choices other than bronze?

Yes, the families will have a choice of either a bronze or white marble.