I made a promise to myself that I would do what I could to help those who served, readjust and enter back into civilian life. We who served in combat of some kind; a war, conflicts on foreign soil or protecting others who were in need, often came away feeling differently about ourselves; where we fit into society or into our own families. I prayed to find a way to help accomplish this and dreamed
of the day my prayers would be answered. Being retired from the army and with 100% service connected disability, those problems were a large part of my own life. For years, the VA and our government, had no answers. Then came the PTSD program and a few of us found the help we needed, even though it was years late in coming. Now the VA has cut way back in giving veterans the help they need. Only five applications out of 100, will get the help they need. And now, in a small way, that's where my ranch and my wife Toni and our partner, RHI's George Herbster, comes in! Having no one to leave our ranch to and so many older and new veterans in need of a quiet, safe place, to decompress and practice old and new skills that they will need to reenter civilian life, or over come problems they lived with for years, we decided we would leave the ranch to a on going, self help veterans project. And having a serving soldier friend, introduce us to George, who had had great success with this type of non profit organization. Having so much in common, we teamed up and the project was born. The ranch, this part is 40 acres, is paid for, with all the utilities in, well, septic, electric, phone, computer hookup and soon, housing for the first two veterans who will help build the next two housing units, along with different shops, gardens, Helipad, fire station and classrooms. There is a intake process, run with the approval and help of the VA, that each veteran must pass, to come and live here. They will have their own VA doctors and health care teams for follow up and will need the OK from them as well. And there is an interview process with those of us at the ranch, to be sure all rules and regulations are clearly understood. It must be a drug and alcohol free area and the housing will be separate, male from females. There will be rules on when they need to be on the campus, in their housing units, times when they can have visitors, who will not have access to the housing and working areas, unless guided by a staff member or client. There will be a non denominational chapel, places to picnic and a gift shop. The intake building will also contain the main kitchen, health and rec center. Clients will have responsibilities, like caring for a living thing, such as a dog, horses, some type of pet that they must care for. They will learn to prepare meals for everyone and must grow something in a garden. Some will care for livestock or fish ponds. And there will be classes taught by outside instructors that must be attended. As the project is non profit, donations may be asked for. If a individual, business or corporation wishes to donate building materials or any thing they think we can use, they will be recognized in our once or twice per year publication and given receipts for tax purposes. And there will be a veterans wall, where you may purchase a tile with the name and information about your veteran loved one, to be placed face out on the wall. This has been a short overview of the project, with more to come as we move forward. George, Toni and I, invite you to LIKE the page and follow along with us! Stay safe and God Bless, Robin
