TF134 | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
Loyal Supporters,
The opening Big Sky Bravery Task Force of 2025 is complete! We were graced by an unrelenting last-minute storm that (albeit wreaked havoc on our flight logistics) fortuitously filled Big Sky with cold smoke.
Recreational decompression was undoubtedly a notable product of the program; however, the conversations around the dinner table and living room fireplace proved paramount in defining our time together. After 134 iterations, our programs continue to evolve and improve.
In the presence of sustained snowfall all week, we were mesmerized by the powder-filled terrain of Andesite, Pioneer and Eglise. We thank the Yellowstone Club for its generosity and hospitality. It was an honor for the recipients to be greeted so warmly and encouraged to enjoy a majestic piece of Montana under such pristine conditions.
We laud Ed and the crew at Canyon Adventures their enduring support, which has always extended beyond the equipment they provide. We also need to recognize Mark and Trae for their time, expertise, professionalism, and affability. We appreciate you reliably getting us back to the shop, worn-out and intact!
As you’ll glean from the forthcoming testimonials, this group embodied trust and brotherhood. Each day brought physical challenge and decompression, along with genuine, open, and humbling conversations that encapsulate the essence of Big Sky Bravery’s mission.
To the participants, their families and loved ones, thank you for sacrificing your time and relinquishing your premonitions. “May you all truly understand your worth!” It was an honor to spend a week with you and I know more awaits around the bend.
To the volunteers Marshall Suetterlin and Mitch Hanson, their families and loved ones, and my family, thank you for your commitment and dedication to selflessly “Give more than you take.” That gratitude also extends to Echomav, Keller Williams Realty, and Opportunity Bank, for empowering, and allowing, your employees to serve a greater cause.
V/R
Dustin Barber
TF 134, Task Force Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Dustin Barber (Task Force Director)
Marshall Suetterlin (Assistant Task Force Director)
Mitch Hanson
Patriots to Thank:
The Yellowstone Club
Big Sky Resort
Canyon Adventures
Outdoor Research
FlasKap
Melissa Ferraro
Anthem Snacks, LMNT, Wild Society Coffee
“To me, Big Sky Bravery TF134 in Big Sky, Montana, was more than just a vacation; it was a profound experience that fostered mental well-being and strengthened camaraderie among everyone who attended. The retreat was thoughtfully designed to prioritize well-being and recovery through shared activities and group discussions facilitated by the BSB volunteers.
Like I assume most people do, I initially thought the evening meetings, where we come together and reflect on the prompt for the day, would be corny and disingenuous. However, they were hands down the most profound and memorable experiences of the week. I have known some of the guys in my TF for over 10 years and learned more about them; as fathers, friends, husbands, etc., in the few short days there than I have known in over a decade.
Every second spent sitting around that table with some of the most badass warriors on the planet and hearing them air out their problems and emotions just destroyed the stigma that we need to compartmentalize our problems and keep up some kind of tough guy facade.
I personally felt an incredible sense of relief and invigoration after telling my stories and hearing others. The magic behind it is that no one there was a "mental health professional" (as far as I know), yet the session was far more fruitful than any I have had with a clinically trained therapist.
I am not an avid skier but using skiing as a mechanism to face some fears and progressing my skills definitely left me feeling a sense of accomplishment and boosted my self-esteem. This was in large part due to the skills and patience of Dustin and Mitch or whoever else drew the short straw and had to babysit me for the day on the slopes.
The breathtaking beauty of the Yellowstone Club and the Big Sky landscape offered a serene and awe-inspiring backdrop, providing a sense of peace and tranquility that allowed for introspection and a much-needed escape from the stresses of daily life.
There were numerous times when I stopped whatever I was doing and looked out over the mountains and felt a profound appreciation for life.
It is not a spontaneous thought or feeling that I experience every day. Connecting nature and physical activity are key to building resilience and enhancing mental health.
The week I spent with Big Sky Bravery will leave a lasting impression on me. I hope to reconnect with Mitch and Dustin in the future and support the program in any way that I can. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend and sincerely thank everyone at BSB for doing what you do for us.
-C.”
“Thank you to all the people who have contributed to this amazing program. I had an amazing week of decompression, relaxation, and intentional deep reflection through meaningful conversation with some top-notch people.
This trip was a much-needed experience highlighting the support we have as American service members.
I can’t thank you enough for your contributions and dedication. My cup is full, and I wanted to thank all the folks who have dedicated their time and money to supporting individuals like me.
This was a trip of a lifetime and has lasting memories and people that I will keep close to my heart. Thank you again to all the amazing Patriots who were involved in this program and made it happen for us.
-L.”
“I want to start off by thanking Dustin, Mitch, and Marshall for taking the time to host us. It is important to me to express my gratitude for your time spent away from your families to hang out with us for the week. To patiently teach and give pointers when it came to being on the slopes. You truly made it fun for me, gave me the confidence due to your instruction, and afforded me the chance to tackle some runs that I would NEVER have attempted to do on my own. Your ability to relate and open up provided the environment for us to let our shoulders down and enjoy.
BSB's relentless effort in gathering the resources to provide the chance to just get away and cool off for a bit is a deed that one does not have the words for except "thanks."
People who are willing to dedicate their lives to this task while working full time to do so is another deed that deserves so much more than just "thanks".
Finally, to those who are so gracious to donate to this cause, "thanks".
Whether it is your home, tickets, passes, monetarily, or whatever it may be, just know that you truly provided the opportunity for some run-ragged warfighters to not only relax but get to experience something that not many ever get to experience.
It is nice to just be able to take a break and check out every now and then. It really is that simple. So, in keeping with how we do things where I come from, “thanks”.
-J.”
