At the Bonfire Blog
Sometimes the Smallest Conversations Create the Biggest Impact
Two combat-injured veterans, sitting in a box stand roughly 6 feet by 4 feet, 15 feet off the ground in the middle of a quiet field surrounded by tree lines in the distance. They quietly watch the sunrise and listen to the world of nature wake up around them and they feel the excitement of being alive and enjoying life around them. “You know one time I remember on lookout while in Iraq…” and in a whispering voice the memories are shared.
New Year New Me!
New Year, new me is easier said than done, especially for a combat-wounded veteran. No matter what, we are in this together, linked arm in arm. We are each other's life ring. In order to make and succeed at New Year Resolutions, we sometimes need others guiding the way.
Collateral Goodness From Warrior Bonfire
Stronger Together - Purple Heart Spouses
Those of us that do not live day to day caring for a wounded combat Veteran in our households cannot begin to fathom the level of commitment, endurance, and faith it takes to not bolt. Neither the warrior nor their spouses, families and even post-service injury spouses expected to manage symptoms for 20, 30, 40 plus years. The longevity of the strength required of a veteran caregiver is extremely heavy and lonely. Therefore the need to group them together for support through our Strong Hearts Spouses Retreats is greatly needed.
Good to See the America We Fought For
When offered the trip to St George, South Dakota, I wondered what exactly a cattle ranch could offer me. Growing up in Texas, I wasn’t new to horses and cattle, so this wasn’t something new or novel for me. This was my first trip of any sort for veterans, much less wounded ones, and my mind conjured up a myriad of events that might take place.
Instant Indescribable Bond
At every Bonfire retreat the same thing occurs in the beginning, the six attending veterans are introduced as they arrive, they begin to ask the typical questions, what branch, where did you serve, where were you deployed, what was your MOS and did you know so and so?