THIS MONTH’S VOLUNTEER: Ryan Elliott

BIG SKY BRAVERY WOULDN'T BE WHAT IT IS TODAY WITHOUT THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR VOLUNTEERS. TO CELEBRATE THEIR GENEROSITY & INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS, WE INVITE YOU TO READ OUR MONTHLY VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VOLUNTEERING FOR BIG SKY BRAVERY

I came on board in 2022 and have been a part of 4 Task Forces.

WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER FOR BIG SKY BRAVERY?

There is no other organization in the country that lays out a platform that allows us, as volunteers, to show the level of high regard we hold these men in.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPACTFUL MOMENT FOR YOU SINCE BEING INVOLVED WITH BIG SKY BRAVERY?

It has happened once a year, every year, since 2022. I sit at the Tribute Dinner and listen to a recipient and his wife give their story. It’s a relatable story of Family, Brotherhood, Trials, Triumphs, and Sacrifice. However, we in attendance can’t realistically relate to the level at which both folks on stage need to operate at to keep it all together.

HOW DOES OUR MOTTO “GIVE MORE THAN YOU TAKE” APPLY TO YOUR LIFE?

Gives me something to strive for each and every day.

WHAT DO YOU NO LONGER TAKE FOR GRANTED AFTER SPENDING TIME WITH THE SOF COMMUNITY WE SERVE?

Trust…the BSB organization operates by putting like-minded men who have never met together for a week and trusts both sides to keep up their end of the bargain. It parallels the expectations these men have of others they work with every day at a level we civilians can’t comprehend. Without it, neither of our missions get accomplished. Hell, I let a recipient talk me into putting 8 perfectly good Rib Eyes in an oven one night in an attempt to teach me the “reverse searing” method. That’s trust.

WHAT JOB TITLE DO YOU HOLD OUTSIDE OF BEING A BIG SKY BRAVERY VOLUNTEER?

I work for MarchMclennan Agency, handling insurance and bonding construction clients.  

FINISH THIS SENTENCE, “WHEN I’M NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BSB, YOU’LL FIND ME…”

Riding, Hunting, Fishing…usually all with family and friends.