TF106 | Big Sky, MT
A NOTE FROM THE TASK FORCE DIRECTOR…
Friends,
What an amazing week with a well-deserving group of men. The Task Force 106 recipients were a unique group for BSB as they had recently retired from the SOF community. Each had served for over twenty-plus years, with many deployments. One of our recipients on TF100 had the idea for this TF. He requested we contact these men before they drifted too far from their military community. He hoped they’d feel a sense of belonging to the BSB community as they began the next chapter of their lives.
Our team comprised seasoned men, including outstanding volunteers Dave Paul (DP), Marty Schuma, and Chris Voigts. Each of these men is on a different path in their career, and each has a specific talent and outlook to share with our recipients. The group came together on the first day and continued from there. It was like we had known each other for years. As they say, a Band of Brothers! The main thread was the values, character, and patriotism of both recipients and volunteers. As the recipients turned the pages into their civilian lives, many topics involving the unknown were discussed.
I sincerely thank the donors who make these Task Forces possible. You are changing men's and women’s hearts and giving them a safe place to share and grow while connecting with civilians who care.
If any of you ever wonder if you’re making a difference, I invite you to take a few moments and read the following testimonials. No one shares the impact of our mission like the heroes we have the honor of giving back to.
Graciously & Respectfully,
Shawn Hertz
Task Force 106 Director
VOLUNTEERS TO THANK
Shawn Hertz (Task Force Director)
Dave Paul
Chris Voigts
Marty Schuma
PATRIOTS TO THANK
The Nobles [Lodging]
The Yellowstone Club [Ski passes]
Canyon Adventures [Snowmobiles, gear, & guides - Mark and Tara]
Big Sky Natural Health [Discounted IV Therapy]
ANTHEM Snacks & Wild Society Coffee [welcome bag donation items]
“I was humbled and a little skeptical when a friend of mine reached out to see if I wanted to take part in a Big Sky Bravery trip. I was skeptical because I recently retired from the military roughly a year ago and during my time as a new civilian, I have had a hard time adjusting. I think I was under the assumption that everything was ok, but it wasn’t. I was retired on October 31st and started a new job on November 1st. In that first year I shut myself off, regressed and made no attempt to be part of my old life. I thought I needed to do that to help myself make that adjustment as well as I felt like I had lost a huge part of my life. I lost a family; I lost my worth and well-being.
After 25 years in special operations, 14 deployments I had become numb to normal life. Holidays, birthdays, or any other happy event meant nothing to me anymore. I had become so absorbed in deployments and time being deployed because of what I was exposed to. My life became a burden and boring. At a certain point I couldn’t find the motivation to get up, do my job or even find the drive needed to be a husband a dad or a person. I was ready to just find a way out, so I didn’t have to be miserable anymore. I was ok with not being around anymore. In my mind the world would have been better off without me.
When I went out and met the volunteers of Big Sky, I felt like I was with a group that had been with me for years. It was an immediate friendship and brotherhood. I felt as if I had known the volunteers my entire life.
I was no longer in a place of complete numbness. I could see past the prison my mind had put me in.
I was able to talk to people who would listen while having other men next to me that I knew understood some of what I was going through. Every day was me growing to understand where I was wrong, where, and why I was hurting and how I could fix it. Days spent with men who I knew wouldn’t judge me and not only listened but heard what I had to say.
At the end of the trip, I went home with the motivation and drive I gained from the Big Sky Bravery that I hadn’t felt in years. I was able to be happy, positive, and healthy. I was mentally healthy which I haven’t been able to say in a long time. I felt great. I know what was missing in my life and how I needed to change.
The world was still out there, all I need to do now is go out there and enjoy it.
Thank you to all the people that support this amazing cause. There aren’t enough words to convey how much this has helped me. To the volunteers of TF 106, you will always be more than friends, thank you for joining me on this journey. And to Big Sky Bravery, what you do is more important than you know. Never stop doing what you are doing.
Sincerely,
S.”
“I was very fortunate to be selected for Task Force (TF) 106 which was focused on SOF veterans. Going into the week I did not know what to expect aside from cold weather, skiing, and snow machining (two out of three I have had little to no experience with). However, I did see the veteran's names who I would be attending the TF with and I knew we were going to have fun. Fun is an understatement.....we had a blast! We shared stories, joked, laughed, ate and drank exceptionally well! But there was something much less tangible about the week we shared and it was connection. We reconnected with each other and created connections with our volunteers.
From my perspective, it seems like when you retire from the military you become a disbanded band of brothers. Sure you have a common bond and shared experiences with those you served with, but you lose your connection. You no longer see each other at work everyday, laugh at each other's jokes, push yourself and your mates to achieve more, share hardships and celebrate successes won through relentless effort. Instead, we are detached from each other. While we may still be tightly connected with our families and non-military circles of friends, there is a void where camaraderie used to be.
These days, the majority of the times we veterans get together are to grieve a mate who was lost to suicide or cancer. It is a pretty harsh reality, but it is a reality I am blessed to live, because I have plenty of friends who did not make it this far.
The week with TF 106 changed all of that. It helped me reconnect with old teammates, reopen lines of communication, find new common ground and provided an opportunity to create new shared experiences. For me, the most unexpected surprise was the volunteers who were paired up with our TF. I met some incredible Americans who have now joined my small circle of trust. It is a rare occasion when you meet someone who after a bit you learn to trust and consider them a person that you can rely on in hard times....it is even more rare to meet four people who gain that level of trust in five days, but somehow that's exactly what happened during TF 106. The volunteers who were selected for our group are truly amazing. We would speak and they would listen without passing judgment or offering their own two cents unless it was asked for. They were generous with their time and were willing to share their own life experiences, talk about careers, parenting, relationships, etc. which made it easy to be ourselves around them. I value the nightly discussions that we'd have and I feel like I've made life-long friends in the matter of a week.
The entire experience was priceless.
I was truly humbled to be a part of this and am tremendously grateful to the donors, sponsors, and volunteers who made it all happen.
Thank you,
A.”
“The Big Sky Bravery invitation was a wonderful surprise. I’m flattered and humbled to have been nominated to attend an event. I didn’t know what to expect but BSB’s reputation is overwhelmingly positive so I eagerly accepted the invitation. As the trip neared, my excitement grew at the thought of skiing with old friends in the Montana high country.
After only a couple days carving the snow, I realized that I benefitted more from the conversation around the fireplace than from skiing the mountain.
Every aspect of the trip was exceptional. From the reception at the airport, we were expertly guided by the good hands of the amazing volunteers. The meticulous planning and preparation for our arrival was evident from the start. From the luxurious log home accommodations to the exquisite backdrop of Yellowstone Club, the setting was world class and unbelievably beautiful. Removed from our daily distractions and amidst the serenity of the Rockies, we were able to relax and enjoy the moment.
At the end of every day we gathered by the fire to recount and laugh at the day’s comedy. In the comfortable setting of the hearth and with a gentle nudge from our host, we shared personal struggles and concerns.
As challenging as it was to serve over 2 decades in Special Operations, it was equally challenging leaving it behind.
Typically, I’m reluctant to speak about my troubles but in this environment, I felt safe to do so. I was surprised how much I enjoyed our fireside chats and these conversations became the most valued moments of the week.
To Big Sky Bravery, I am indebted. Thank you for your caring vision and dedication to make a positive impact in the lives of those that serve/served in the defense of the nation. Your work makes a difference. I sincerely hope your unprecedented support continues as long as there is a need.
No one can do what BSB does.
Thank you to the donors for contributing the resources to bring concept to reality. Your generosity and patriotism are inspiring. Your honorable gesture reminds me that my sacrifice was worthwhile. To the volunteers, Shawn, DP, Marty, and Chris, I have the highest respect and admiration. You adeptly guided us on an adventure on the slopes but also down the path to growth. I am blessed to have met you and to call you friends. Thank you for your time and compassion. Thanks again to Big Sky Bravery. I received more than I deserve.
I left Montana better than I came, refreshed and with new optimism.
C.”
“First off, I would like to thank the donors who made my Big Sky Bravery (BSB) adventure possible. Without an organization like yours, this would have never been possible. Secondly, I would like to thank BSB & their volunteers for putting together an excellent and professional retreat for people like me.
A few months back I was contacted by a previous BSB attendee about participating in an upcoming BSB event. I knew very little about BSB, but my friend assured me that it would be a great experience. Three other people and I that worked extensively over fifteen years of my career together ended up attending the TF106 event. We had never met anyone in person that were facilitating us from BSB, but after a few minutes it already felt like we were old buddies.
As simple as it sounds, it was very nice to encounter great people right off the bat. After heading down to BSB HQ we got sorted with gear for the upcoming adventure. We met a few more very nice folks before heading off to our lodging location. Our lodging location turned out to a be very beautiful home in the woods with amazing views. It also provided the perfect atmosphere to reconnect with old friends and our new BSB family. After getting settled, we had an outstanding dinner altogether. It was nice to feel comfortable and not awkward in a new setting.
I think BSB nailed it.
Over the next four days, we did some skiing and sledding adventures. The skiing was fabulous at an outstanding facility, as well as the sledding day. I really enjoyed playing hard during the day and the quality of hangout time in the evenings. One of the things I really enjoyed was story time (thought of the day) in the evenings. Everyone was presented the same topic in the mornings, and we would discuss it in a group setting that evening. This brought us all together and was definitely icing on the cake during an already incredible adventure. It really solidified the old and new friendships, and all was made possible by donor generosity. Again, I cannot thank everyone enough involved with Big Sky Bravery for this opportunity and experience.
J.”
