TF96 | Big Timber, MT
Task Force 96 | Big Timber, Montana
To those who truly care,
I find myself sitting here again procrastinating the incredibly difficult but necessary task of conveying the quite simply indescribable week that is a Task Force for Big Sky Bravery. For the over 500 men, women, and families who have graced us with their presence and the many volunteers who have had the honor of participating in and leading these action-packed spiritual healing adventures, I’m guessing they can understand what I’m trying to articulate. Anyhow, transformative, life changing, energizing, restorative, reflective, inspirational, are a few words that at least resonate with me and the way I feel after a week on a BSB program.
As per usual a group of 9 relative strangers met at an airport, hopped in a van and headed on a journey. This one happened to lead to a gem of a valley housing the 4C ranch which was generously donated and loaned to us as a kind of big kid playground for the week.
We started off Monday with side-by-side tours around the ranch, followed by some archery and pistol shooting, and ended with catching some fish in the pond before a delicious lamb dinner and some great conversation. Day one definitely didn’t suck. Day two we got a little more western and saddled up some horses and took out for a circle around the property at 3 miles an hour, the best and only way to see god’s country. After a relaxing lunch on the patio we headed off to the creek for some technical fishing or bush beating as some might say. Absolutely amazing to watch men who had never held a fly rod 2 days prior pick apart a tiny trout stream and hunt fish. Afterwords, back to the lodge for another incredible meal and ever deeper more captivating converstion which only gets better and more real as the week progresses.
Wednesday, we found ourselves branching off the ranch and into some rugged country chasing trout in the crazy mountains. There is where I witnessed some of the healing. Watching several men loose themselves in the river, focused only on the perfect cast, the subtle rise, stopping occasionally to soak in the view or enjoy the moment of a wild trout in hand, but completely loosing track of time, to the point of frozen feet for the next hour. Church is what I refer to the mountains and rivers and valleys of Montana, it really is Church. As the shadows began to fall on another perfect day the group split up, some continued on to a higher lake along the trail while the rest headed back to the ranch for some more saddle time and archery. Another amazing meal devoured, a few restful hours of sleep and wake up to do it all again.
For our last full day, we departed early and left the ranch again for a day of floating and fishing on the Yellowstone River with Emigrant Peak watching down. If you’ve ever been on the stone in July when the waters start to clear and the fish are hungry its pretty special. An absolutely relaxing, beautiful, fish-filled laugh of a great day. More memories were made and fish stories to be told around fires for years to come. And all of a sudden, it seems, its Friday the least favorite day as we all head back to reality leaving this Eutopia we’ve created, but its with a new perspective, a more positive outlook, less stress and more joy that we head back to our families and careers and obligations. Hopefully with enough of the vigor from the week to pay it forward and let it rub off on some more good people in our lives. And its with 8 more brothers in our lives who will continue to support and share our lives with. Thank you from my soul to all those who support and donate their time money and everything else to Big Sky Bravery and thank you to all the men, women and families in the armed services protecting and serving our country.
And special thankyou to Mark, Jake, Halty, Dave and Shawn for volunteering their time!
Sincerely,
Blake Dobson
Task Force 96 Director
TF96 Volunteers:
Blake Dobson - Task Force Director
Mark Esponda
Jake Kauffman
Halty
TF96 Patriots:
4C Ranch (a week of lodging and paradise)
Rivers Edge (discounted fly fishing gear)
406 Hay Shed (donated 10 horses to ride)
Marcus Fay, Charlie Johnson, Stu, and Shaun (fishing guides)
Montana Tactical (discounted ammo)
Marci Gehring (pastries)
“The forgotten family—Many folks believe what they are told, or, as we all may do incorrectly, we believe what we see. Big Sky Bravery (BSB) changed my way of thinking, seeing, and doing. I, like many I know, get focused on work and tread water to spend time with our struggling families. Big Sky Bravery was the first time I took a break and focused on myself. I thought it was just going to be a time to relax. I had no idea what I was going to experience. I learned that America has my back, the opportunities, the volunteers, and the experiences I enjoyed were more than I could wrap my head around.
I have often been in very low places (depression and hopelessness) seeing freedom misused and individuals following destructive trends that divide our nation. It had been extremely challenging to wake up and put on a uniform some days. I can’t begin to describe how loved and appreciated I felt at BSB. The truth is; I can’t think of a person that doesn’t want to move to Montana, in just one week, we all felt like we were home with family. The land reminded us of our beautiful country and those who adventured west to survive it. The volunteers reminded us of the great Americans I know, I would happily die for. But, even more, the people behind the scenes who make all of this possible and available. I remember brushing down and riding someone's horse who selflessly let me ride across their land and at the top of a mountain I couldn’t help but cry feeling surrounded by our nation, the most beautiful land in Montana, and a family I didn’t know I had. I had forgotten that by volunteering to serve the nation I also volunteered to be a part of a family of patriots I never knew existed.
I am so grateful to the men and women who support BSB. When the emotions and feelings are so big in my heart and head, it is impossible to put them down on paper. If I could, I would introduce my wife and children to their extended family with hugs and hearty handshakes. I sleep better at night because the people at BSB love me, and my family, I believe understand what it truly means to serve our nation and are serving in amazing ways. I am forever grateful, thank you.
-E.”
“I was first introduced to Big Sky Bravery at one of their golf fundraisers shortly after I was a part of a catastrophic training accident where we lost a good friend and team mate. We were sitting around a table after the fundraiser and I was able to share my story. The volunteers made it evident that they truly care about our mental and physical health. They remained in contact with me over the years and I was able to make it out for TF 96. I wish I would have made the time to come out earlier, but there was always an excuse to put it off ie prioritizing work and family. At some point you have to look in the mirror and see the struggles you are facing and make time for healing.
We showed up at TF 96 as acquaintances and became a family over those 5 days. It was healing and we were able to relax and put life in perspective. We were able to have deep conversations without judgment, talk about our struggles, shared experiences, and begin to make sense of it all. I am happy to call them brothers now. We became a group of men that will be there for one another when we are struggling and to keep one another accountable. Leaving BSB I know I’m leaving as a better husband, father, and teammate.
Seeing the beauty of this country that we swore to defend and knowing there are people worth fighting for, was something we all needed. I’m not a very religious person, but being out there, letting the time fly, and be able to soak in the beauty of of Montana showed me my church. It became clear to me that mind, body, and spirit are all connected and how incredibly important it is to allow yourself time to reset and recharge. This time gave us the ability to set new intentions and move forward with the struggles of losing friends in war and training and to allow us to be present with our families.
Sean & Blake - thank you for being the men you are and being there for me when I needed someone the most. America is a better place with men like you.
Lastly, thank you to all of the volunteers, and sponsors of Big Sky Bravery. You all are great Americans and people. We can count on you to be there for us and that has restored my faith in mankind and reaffirmed that our word and a hand shake still mean something.
Sincerely,
-A.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend Big Sky Bravery; there are no words to express the depth of my appreciation. Over the past few years, I've experienced numerous changes and grief, and I haven't had sufficient time to slow down and process everything. However, this week at BSB provided me with the chance to clear my head for the first time in a long while and gain clarity on unresolved matters. The camaraderie and brotherhood that quickly formed among the participants played a significant role in making the week so beneficial. Each night, we engaged in deep discussions, answering thought-provoking questions that encouraged vulnerability and genuine fellowship. This transformative week allowed me to refocus and return home as a better husband and father, with newfound motivation to face life's challenges. The time spent with Blake and all the volunteers was beyond incredible; their ability to connect with us on such a profound level in just a few hours was remarkable. Big Sky Bravery has helped me find closure regarding a significant chapter of my life. I am forever indebted to this organization for the positive impact it has had on my life. I sincerely hope to have the chance to reunite with all of you in the future.
-J”
“To anyone involved in supporting TF 96 or BSB in general, I can't find the words to express my deepest gratitude. From the moment I touched down in Bozeman till 7 days later, the kindness, generosity and most humble people enriched my life. I came into BSB program, 8 yrs of grinding through continuous deployments not realizing I needed a full mental reset. Mr Shawn, Blake, Mark, Jake, Rob and Halty surrounded me with compassion and grace, which in turn made my walls of vulnerability crumble. As a city boy, I was out of my element but no better way to reset your life than climbing on a horse, riding an ATV or learning how to catch tree limbs with a fly rod. Even though each night starts with a simple question to break the ice, by day 2 or 3 the magic of BSB bubbles up. These organic sessions morphed each day and the healing begins on each mission or adventure. The crew that supported TF96 breathed life into each of us during calculated encounters during the week and my life is forever changed. I witnessed 4 other brothers, battling the same demons while we fight on different turfs come together to heal each other. BSB provides the setting, the volunteers encourage the conversations and the blessed soldiers organically heal each other.
My network has expanded, my brotherhood has a longer reach and we owe this all to BSB and their funding families. For anyone that has given time, given their assets or donated their treasures to give us a week to heal, I offer my deepest thank you. We serve around this great nation and beyond, and for once we felt our sacrifices were appreciated. Montana is a new world. The terrain, the people the culture was a recipe for healing and TF96 is forever grateful. I didn't deserve to receive this special week, but my wife, my daughters thank you cause I have a new purpose and a new tribe. I am forever indebt to BSB and all of those who have given to support their mission and will be back to volunteer in anyway I can to give my fellow warriors a chance to heal like I was blessed to receive. Thank you again and God bless BSB.
-M.”
