02/19/2026
For a long time, I’ve watched good people carry heavy things quietly.
Veterans. Firefighters. Law Enforcement.
We’re trained to handle chaos, show up for everyone else, and keep moving. But what I’ve learned — and what Kristen and I have talked about a lot — is that most of us don’t actually have a place where we can just be normal humans for a minute without explaining ourselves.
No rank.
No expectations.
No reports.
No one trying to fix you.
Just people who get it.
Out of a lot of life experience, long conversations, and a shared dream about the kind of community we want to build, we decided to start something simple:
Canteen Cup
It’s not counseling.
It’s not a meeting.
It’s not a program.
It’s a standing table.
Coffee, drinks, food — and conversation with people who understand the job without you having to say a word. You can talk as much or as little as you want, or just sit and decompress after a shift.
It’s come and go as you please. If you get off late or timing doesn’t work perfectly, don’t worry about it — just show up when you can.
Our hope is to build a place where nobody in these professions has to feel alone in what they carry — and over time create a legacy of real peer support, one conversation at a time.
If you are a Veteran, Firefighter, or Law Enforcement — man or women — you’re invited.
📍 Los Potrillos – Felida (Vancouver, WA)
🕡 6:30pm–8:30pm
🗓 Second Wednesday of every month
Ask the host for “Canteen Cup”
You don’t need to RSVP.
You don’t need to explain yourself.
Just come.
And if you know someone in one of these roles who could use a place like this, share it with them.
— Michael & Kristen
