When it comes to healing and connection, sometimes all it takes is one weekend a year to spark something much bigger. At the Warrior Bonfire Program, we’ve seen firsthand how a single retreat—built with heart and supported by local hands—can grow into a powerful, lasting network of support for our Purple Heart veterans.

Hosting a retreat doesn’t require a massive operation. It starts with one person, one idea, and a willingness to ask, “Can we host a retreat?” Local businesses, community leaders, and volunteers often step up in incredible ways when given the opportunity to serve those who’ve sacrificed for our country.

Our recent retreat at Lake Sam Rayburn, was created over eight years ago with the simple idea to take veterans fishing to help them learn a new pastime. This turned into a full community effort with  fishing guides donating their time and boats, local businesses donating meals and boat fuel, and lakefront residents sharing the use of their weekend homes, all eager to show our veterans a great weekend on the water.

Meals were shared, stories exchanged, and new friendships formed between guides, hosts, and veterans.  That one event has created a ripple effect, it became a support network—where everyone knows they’re part of something meaningful and can count on one another when times get hard.

Now a greater magic is happening, those wanting to be involved and give of their valuable time and resources is happening and planning gets easier every year. It all falls into place and grand things are occurring, like the visit of bass masters Stephen and Beau Browning, that took time away from their tournament schedule to share their knowledge and tips on the water with veterans. This is exciting for all those involved but it speaks volumes to veterans that have sacrificed, as it clearly shows there are people in this country who truly care about their wellbeing. Finally, when communities see the impact of their involvement is when that one retreat a year becomes a tradition.

So if you’ve ever thought, “I wish we had something like that here,” know that you can be the spark. With a little coordination and a lot of heart, you can help build something that lasts far beyond one weekend.

One retreat. Once a year. That’s all it takes to start building community.