OUR MISSION:

OUR STORY IS OUR REASON

We don’t have any fancy initials after our name, but one might argue that people that do, lack the relative ​experience to relate to a combat veteran with PTSD. We have a flawed system of care for our veterans, and I am a ​testament to that.

I enlisted in the Marines in 1999 and served until 2003. I was a sergeant and acting company master gunner for 2nd ​Light Armored Recon during the Iraq invasion of 2003. My unit sat at the border of Iraq and Kuwait for three days of ​shock and awe, then advanced. We were attached to Regimental Combat Team 1 and fought in An Nasariya during ​the height of ambush alley. Among other missions, we assisted Recon and other special forces units in providing ​security and sometimes clearing the route for POW rescues, the most famous being for Pvt. Jessica Lynch.

Being stop-lossed, I was one of the first combat troops home. It wasn’t until after two failed marriages and struggles ​with extreme combat PTSD for several years, that I started to go to the VA for help. I was diagnosed with extreme ​combat PTSD and severe depression.

The first time I took the prescribed medication, I ended up in Jail. For the next several years, I battled with the VA for ​help, following every new medication, and was on 19 pills a day. I was a mess. I couldn’t control my emotions, I was ​homeless, and 100% ‘permanent and total’ disabled. I was living in the back of a VFW when the VA came to visit me ​and tell me that I was unable to handle my own finances, and needed a caretaker. Covid then hit, and they ​disappeared. When I found a caretaker, funding was denied. I reached out to every vet group I could, from social ​security to VA, VFW, American Legion, to privately funded groups like Rally Point. While some tried, others didn’t ​even do that...

It’s time for an ‘adjust fire’.

This is not one story, but the story of many of us. We can see this by the rising numbers of ​veteran suicide, but it is told by signs and behaviors before it gets to that point. Our ​study has focused on key elements and phases that will lead to a healthy and productive ​life while living with PTSD.

PHASE I:

Clear the Fog of War;

A Plan that Works..

State of Mind Matters:

It’s common among warriors with PTSD to be triggered into their ‘trauma mind’, the ‘fight or flight’, or what we call the Fog of War. In this state, the warrior’s mind is in the ‘default protection mode’, and will have extreme reactions to every stressor, responding to everyday activities and actions as if still on the battlefield. The warrior won’t be able to let their guard down enough to get into a state to be receptive to help unless they are in the correct environment. Sickness, poor hygiene, poor personal care habits and malnutrition is more common than not. Veterans can stay in this state for months, even years. Nutrition and environment around the veteran is critical. Helping the veteran through our many programs, classes, and sessions will create the space for healing.

PHASE II:

“We didn’t fight alone, we won’t heal alone.”

Equestrian Program:

Equine Therapy is one of the most successful therapy programs to evolve over the past few years. Horses ​are unique in nature in power of presence, and can be a friend to many warriors. Wings Over Warriors sees ​the value in allowing the warrior to connect with nature shown in a way most don’t get to experience. We ​offer a wide range of programs, highlighted below.

● Program A- Similar to the Wild Horse Training program for the correctional facilities, the Warrior is ​given the wild mustang, facilities, and instruction on training the horse. Horses are trained with a “soft ​touch” as opposed to traditional breaking methods. The horses are scared and need to learn a new ​language, as does the warrior making a platform for healing for both. There are now multiple sources for ​research on the benefits of equine therapy.

● Program B- Vets are provided a horse that is trained and ready to have a relationship with the warrior. ​From short term to long, our goal is to provide the facility for continued care of the warrior.

● Program C- Seasonal and exciting trail rides through the thousands of acres of State and Federal lands ​that surround the property. Some with overnight camping on the crest of the mountain.

Falconry and Warriors Program:

Similar to equine therapy but different, engaging with raptors is an experience and an art only achieved through being vulnerable. Not only are these raptors powerful, they require a certain language of mutual respect. Warriors will be able to learn the basics of falconry, the long respected art and tradition, handle a raptor and have it fly to their glove, and go on team hawk hunts. These are all guided by licensed falconers that have created a program unique to veterans.

PHASE III:

A healthy vet is one with a mission.

Preparing for the next steps and ensuring the warrior has what they need in place with benefits is a minimum. What about inspiring a new passion, or giving the opportunity to learn a new one? Continued learning displaces stagnancy. We provide the shop, tools, and instruction for the following courses:

● Intro into welding and metalwork

● Carpentry

● Viticulture

● Alternative Building Construction

● Permaculture Design

● Seasonal Planting Courses

... and many more to come.

Long Term Care: Keeping the Warrior Engaged

PTSD has life long care needs,with our program, the warrior will have a toolbox of options for life, ranging from emotional self control to restoring the pride that is instilled in the warrior. We teach the warrior healthy places to reach out for brotherhood and help set up a network in their area to ensure strong warrior support. Continued care equals continued results.

Additional Missions:

Wings Over Warriors Program has a full shop, both metal, carpentry, and mechanical. These facilities are used for classes when scheduled, and can be offered for use for veterans. Veterans will be allowed to create projects at our facility. In addition, Wings Over Warriors’ goal is to create veteran jobs through sale of ranges of created products, from fencing panels to sheds. These items are the products of the carpentry and metal works shops and are sold to support local veterans and their families.

Vets to Farming Program:

Warriors looking for a critical mission for the country don’t have to look far.....

A warrior needs a mission. Veterans back home can help battle hunger and continue in the spirit of service through small scale farming. It provides the challenges as well as the lifestyle some warriors are looking for. Classes include everything from permaculture to fence and barn building, both with traditional carpentry, and alternative construction methods. Some examples include compressed earth block, rammed earth, or depressed greenhouses.

SGT. York Foundation:

Sergeant York was a decorated soldier from WWI. When he came back home, he was given a house and a piece of land for his heroic actions. We have created a program that will create this opportunity for more heroes..

How it works:

1. Land is acquired through donation, tax sale, or purchased through donated funds.

2. Veteran is trained and given the support network to homestead and produce a crop.

Veteran has support network with access to tools and equipment, tractor share program,

etc.

3. Veteran sponsors and trains a new veteran to run a farm. Proceeds from farm 1 helps

fund veteran 2’s land. Within 5-10 years, the donation has doubled in impact, only to keep helping more veterans exponentially.

PHASE IV:

GETTING STARTED.

First Steps:

Rehabilitation starts at the facility. The existing condition of the facility is in need of care. It’s known history is long, dating back to the early settlement of the west. The indians still confirm certain portions of the property are sacred places of worship. More recently, the property was used as a baptist church camp, wedding venue and event center. The property sat for several years, leaving the buildings in disrepair. The current owner, Integrated Health, acquired the property with a mission matching ours... Trauma healing. While building repairs are ongoing, progress has been intermittent and are still suffering the economical effects of Covid.

Phase I: Secure Funding

Phase II : Land and building construction and renovations

Phase III: Move in, hiring, and setting up of courses and materials

Phase IV: Open for service unto veterans

We are currently in the process of raising funds for our programs and assistance.