TF118 | Salmon, ID
A note from the Task Force Director…
Big Sky Bravery Family and Patriots,
It is always a struggle for me to put into words the memories of the week spent leading a Task Force for Big Sky Bravery. With certainty, one cannot adequately describe the once-in-a-lifetime adventure, the unwavering bond and friendships forged, the breathtaking scenery, and, in this case, the riotous belly-aching laughter.
So, knowing that I will fail to paint an accurate picture of our week, here is my best attempt. TF 118 started off slightly different than most in the sense that I already knew 6 of the recipients from prior trips. So reuniting with old friends and brothers was easy and familiar. The van ride down set the tone for an unforgettable sojourn down the middle fork of the Salmon River with laughter, fellowship, and a few wrong turns. One last night on dry land in Stanley, Idaho, and then we set off for the River of No Return.
Once we were loaded in the boats and in the hands of the incredible and professional guides at Boundary Expeditions, the journey began to unfold, and river time took over. We were graced with gorgeous weather for the entire trip, big whitewater flows, a healthy number of hungry trout, profound campfire chats, and five-star cuisine compliments of the Boundary crew.
A week away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and all the creature comforts of this world was a welcome and refreshing change of pace. No email, no social media, and no news set the perfect environment to unplug, relax, and recharge. From the days spent paddling and occasionally swimming, soaking in natural hot springs, hiking, and catching cutthroat, to the evenings sitting around the fire, smoking stogies, and listening to campfire guitar, the pace of the trip meandered by at 3 miles an hour. Perhaps the speed God intended for us all.
With the utmost sincerity and humility, I would like to thank all of the patriots who helped make this trip possible. And a big thank you to all of our men and women still in the fight.
Respectfully,
Blake Dobson
TF118 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Blake Dobson [Task Force 118 Director & sole volunteer]
Patriots to Thank:
Boundary Expeditions
River’s Edge
Rugged Road Outdoors
ANTHEM
LMNT
Wild Society Coffee
Melissa Ferraro
“The trip and experience BSB provided were truly once in a lifetime.
To see first hand how much people care about the Special Operations Community and to connect with others who’ve shared a similar path was restoring.
From the adventures in a pristine wilderness to the guided fireside conversations, I can’t express enough how much this organization benefits warriors and their families. Thanks to BSB for what they do.”
-J.
“To Those Who Have Quietly & Graciously Donated Energy & Resources to Bless Us with this Experience,
I just wanted to take a moment to say how grateful, and humbled, I am to have had an opportunity to experience (100) Miles of the Middle Fork on the Salmon River to unplug, recharge, and embark in fellowship with some of the finest men this country has forged. In life, each of us form an assortment of memories that regardless of the event remains with us and occasionally resurfaces throughout our journey. Service to our Country especially post September 11th, 2001 has inherently produced warriors that ultimately accumulated less than desirable moments that as described previously occasionally rise to the surface. In my experience, operational tempo, training, professional development, and overall needs of the service have limited our time at home, meaningful moments with family and friends, and more importantly the deliberate act of balancing life and our positive memories in each of those categories.
In order to balance, process, heal, and move forward in life we must take every opportunity to embark in memorable moments, and foster meaningful relationships with those in our lives to offset the negative energy that remains. Big Sky Bravery has not only arrived at this conclusion through familial service, close relationships within the Special Operations community, and lived experience, but has fostered these memorable moments for those of us who have humbly been asked to participate in order to move forward in a more positive direction.
Reflections of the time spent with each of these truly Great Americans on this beautifully remote piece of God's Country will remain with me for the rest of my days, and I could not be more thankful for those of you who made this happen. Thank you for your time and energy, and may God Bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
-M.”
"I cannot describe how fortunate I feel to have been a part of Task Force 118 with Big Sky Bravery. The memories and friendships this trip has provided will make a lifelong impact on me.
After 21 years in the Army, these great Americans and amazing adventures reminded me of what I fought to protect all those years.
Thank you BSB for this wonderful opportunity, I will cherish it forever.
-C.”
“On this trip, I had the incredible opportunity to do many things I had never done before. These last few years in the military have been extremely difficult for me and my family, both physically and mentally. I am currently sitting around waiting for my last treatment to heal (I put it off until after the trip). One of the outcomes of my situation has been a separation from all around me and a loss of trust in institutions and many around me.
For the seven days of this Big Sky Bravery trip, I felt like I lifted my head above water.
Then, as I took my first breath, my hands reached down to pick me up. The fresh air changed me so much. I could dive back in, knowing I have such a powerful lifeline. Experiencing time on the water rafting and fishing, talking about life and opportunity, and sharing hurts and feelings was life-changing. Knowing that it was a gift was hard to accept, but that gift has changed my life. The experience and care BSB showed me through the donors was priceless.
My wife of 15 years and three young children all recognized a more present father and loving husband.
There is not enough “thank you” that I can give. But thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel like there is hope for us, from the men who served that I was on the trip with, the trip itself, and especially the BSB team, that all changed my life. I can not wait to give back to others in like manner if God provides the opportunity.
Thank you.”
"I am extremely grateful to Big Sky Bravery for providing an unforgettable expedition. The journey itself was incredible, but what truly made it extraordinary were the amazing people I shared it with – fellow participants and the dedicated staff.
This trip came at a pivotal moment in my life, offering a much-needed escape from the daily grind and allowing me to focus on my future amidst major life decisions.
It was a powerful reminder of the importance of taking deliberate steps towards personal growth and finding inner peace.
Though not without its challenges, the serenity and camaraderie provided a comforting balance that helped me navigate moments of stress and uncertainty.
Thank you, BSB, for providing not just an adventure but a sanctuary where I could reflect, recharge, and gather the strength to embrace the next chapter of my life with clarity and optimism.
The support and friendships have turned a daunting chapter into a transformative one.
-J.”
“Thank you. It is difficult to convey in words what Big Sky Bravery means to me. My experience at Big Sky Bravery has been nothing short of transformative, both for myself and for each of my teammates who have had the privilege to participate in this one-in-a-lifetime experience. The family at Big Sky Bravery are some of the most amazing people I have ever met and provide their heart and soul for their mission.
The process seems simple - the mountains, an adventure, and new brothers to share our experiences with. But without the commitment to such a noble cause and the generosity of great Americans, these adventures and friendships would not be possible.
The powerful conversations shared amongst the TF members are a rare and special occasion in our line of work and will forever have a lasting impact. I am deeply honored to be a recipient of your support, and I thank you for what you do for my unit and our country.
-R.”
“I have run the gambit of emotions the past several weeks. The reconnection that BSB provided even coming to my home state and bringing together people that I haven’t seen in months or years was special. This led into my retirement from 20 years on active duty. The days leading up to my retirement were a whirlwind of emotional, spiritual and mental highs and, at times, reflecting back on the lows.
I lost a former teammate to suicide the week before I retired and had several others reach out to discuss their struggles.
The unseen wounds and scars that each of us carry make it seem as though we are in a dark hole at times. Finding the strength to look up and see the light shining in from the top of that hole we are in, allowing our eyes to adjust and see a multitude of hands reaching down to help pull us out of those dark holes is at times a monumental task. Each day we have to make the deliberate decision to put on our armor, live the warrior ethos, build the next generation of warriors, love our wives and families while not becoming a statistic.
Despite the wide range of highs and lows, I am eternally thankful for those that have sacrificed everything and grateful that I am able to carry on their stories and legacies.
Being out in God’s creation and in his presence on the river allowed for time to reflect on the roadmap of the past, be grateful for the present, and hope for the future.
This week can be summed up in a T.S. Eliot quote:
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” -T.S. Eliot
God bless and thank you to everyone involved that had a part of making Task Force 118 truly incredible.
v/r,
-J.”
