Veterans Finding Hope and Healing
A Life Saved
“Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I’ve struggled since I left the Army back in ’09 after two tours in Afghanistan. I feel like a new man; I have hope and I’ve found new friends who know exactly what it’s like to struggle. I finally feel like I can get help for my PTSD. I know the others {veterans} feel the same way. I can tell you without a doubt this mission saved a life. This means so much, thank you,” said Jason, a FTL veteran.
The Freedom to Liberty Retreat Experience
“First off, all I can say is WOW!!! I’m reaching out to say Thank You. Thank You for the opportunity to be part of the Mission of Honor family. Two days back, and I’m still in a state of shock from what transpired and what we all went through. Myself along with the rest of the Veterans needed this trip. After chatting with a couple of your support Team which were hands down very dedicated, passionate that we had the best experience possible, I communicated to them that this is something that must continue and the importance of that particular day 23 years ago and why we joined is just another reason for us to realize there is a purpose and reason we joined and it’s something not to be ashamed of despite what certain people say. I look forward to seeing this Mission continue to do Great things, and I know there’s no other organization that holds a candle for what you have done and will continue to do. We are in this together. We are not alone. We got this!!! The amount of lives you all touched and saved will forever be forged in my mind.” ~A Freedom to Liberty retreat alumni.
The Lasting Impact
Following the trip, many veterans took the important first step by seeking mental health help, and for others, they took the time to find a new path and put themselves first for the first time in a long while. Still others found a new sense of appreciation for the sacrifice and support of their families. We know the statistics of veteran suicides are staggering, so if we can find a way to connect them with other vets and help them heal from their post traumatic struggles, we owe it to them and their families to do so. We are incredibly proud of this new initiative and we’ve only just begun. With continued help from patriots like you, we can save even more lives. Our goal is to roll this initiative out nationally so we can help more vets heal, find meaning from their service and find a healthier path moving forward. Thank you for believing in us!
A Journey Through New York: One Veteran’s Story
Overcoming Anxiety
The 4 days spent in New York were unlike anything I could have imagined for this trip. I had so much anxiety but told myself, this was something I truly needed. I loved my time in service, until one incident, and then I resented and questioned everything I had once needed and loved so much.
Rediscovering Pride and Purpose
This trip renewed my passion I once had and also made me feel so proud to be a Veteran. I have always tried to avoid the thanks, and it was hard to hear on this trip but it sure made me feel like what I did really mattered and I needed that. I also needed to feel the camaraderie that I didn’t know I was missing so much. The minute I boarded the plane and started listening to the conversations around me and being able to interact with other Veterans, opened a void I didn’t even know I had! It has been so awesome to build friendships with others on the trip.
A Day of Healing and Hope
I was extremely grateful for the next day, when we went to the Statue of Liberty and the One World Observatory. After the heaviness of the day before, it felt like a breath of fresh air. There was a renewed sense of energy that everyone had. We had seen each other break down and cry the day before, we had witnessed our reason for serving, deploying, and fighting, and now we were laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather. We were just battle buddies, enjoying a new day. I don’t think that A Mission of Healing would be as successful without the day to regroup and recover emotionally the day after the 9/11 museum and listening to the guest speakers. Another thing that was really amazing to me was listening to David Bellavia speak. He never told us his story about what happened when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor, he told us how much WE mattered, and how we had to keep on keeping on. Someone, again, went through a horrible trauma and he was reminding us that we were needed, strong, and important. I don’t ever remember being made to feel that I was strong and important.
Thank you for everything. Thank you for choosing me, helping me, holding me while I fell apart, and helping pull me back together. All of you. You have made a huge impact in my life and in return, that has helped change my outlook and way of thinking.” ~P
Honoring All Who Served
“I should have died over there, like my friends did. I thank God every day I’m still here. Seeing their names on The Wall was hard but therapeutic. Thank you for helping me heal.”
- Rod, a Vietnam Veteran –
