Trek for Troops is a fundraiser hosted by Power Combat Fitness in partnership with the Byron Forest Preserve to benefit Darkhorse Lodge. Darkhorse Lodge will be a retreat for combat veterans of all branches of service to come to relax, fish on Kentucky Lake, enjoy area activities, and communicate with others who have walked in their boots. "Once completed, there will be five, 5 bedroom guest cabin
s, each room named for one of the 25 men lost from the Marine Corps' 3/5, Darkhorse unit. When our 19-year-old son, LCpl Alec E Catherwood, was killed in action on October 14, 2010, it felt as if the world had ended for us. After realizing that we wouldn't honor him by giving up, I stayed up nights, wondering what I could do for those who did come home. Finding my new purpose in life has given me a reason to get up each morning and face the challenges ahead. We will need A LOT of money to complete our build. 5 guest cabins, a staff cabin, and a shower house/dining facility (named for US Army National Guard, Specialist Tim Bowman, who committed su***de on Thanksgiving Day, 2005 after returning home from Iraq). Our employees will also be combat veterans, including those who will take the participants fishing at one of the most beautiful spots in the south (oh yeah, we'll need boats and gear donated as well). The buildings at Darkhorse Lodge will be handicapped accessible to accommodate as many of our veterans as possible. -Gretchen Catherwood" www.darkhorselodge.com
