The grand opening of Boulder Crest Retreat Arizona at Apache Springs Ranch, on November 30, can only be described as inspiring, emotional, and, at times, overwhelming. Visitors from across the country, many accompanied by service dogs, as well as neighbors, local business owners, first responders and clergy, came together at the 130-acre ranch north of Sonoita to celebrate the opening of Boulder Crest’s second location dedicated to helping combat veterans and their families.
The ceremony opened with three parachutists, led by Dana Bowman, the first double amputee to reenlist in the U.S. Army, unfurling huge American, Arizona, and POW/MIA flags, before landing in front of the crowd of approximately 450 guests.
The ‘flag drop’ was followed by the national anthem, sung by country singer Keni Thomas, as the VFW Mounted Color Guard from Three Points, AZ presented the colors. Thomas, a former U.S. Army Ranger, served in the battle of Mogadishu, portrayed in the movie “Black Hawk Down,” for which he was a consultant.
After welcoming remarks by Border Crest founder Ken Falkes, SOCS Edward C. Byers Jr. gave the keynote address. Byers, a Navy SEAL with 11 overseas deployments, including nine combat tours, received the Medal of Honor in 2016 for his gallantry during a hostage rescue mission in Afghanistan. “The medal of honor is much harder to wear than it is to earn,” he told the audience. “I humbly wear this medal for my team.” He talked about the “visible and invisible wounds” suffered by combat veterans. “The sacrifice is real,” he said. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day.”
Chief Byers was followed by a Native American blessing of the land ceremony performed by Delane Enos, a member of the Gila River Indian community, a ribbon cutting and a benediction.
Falkes spoke of the history of Apache Springs Ranch, established by Thomas Gardner, who was shot by Cochise and carried the bullet for years. “The land is a true warrior’s paradise,” he wrote in the program, “a potent reminder that warriors used times of struggle to create deep strength and growth.”
Falkes and his wife, Julia, founded Boulder Crest Virginia in Bluemont, Virginia, the country’s first privately funded center focusing on restoring mental wellness for combat veterans, in 2013. Since opening, they have hosted 3,000 combat veterans and their families. The non-profit organization is funded by donations, and all services are provided free of charge.
Boulder Crest has developed an 18-month-long combat stress recovery program, which they call PATHH (progressive and alternative training for healing heroes.) They do not refer to Post Traumatic Stress at the retreat, but rather use the term Post-traumatic Growth to describe the healing process. “We believe that times of struggle can serve as the fuel for transformation and growth,” the mission statement reads. The programs are led by mentors who come from military backgrounds and life coaches. In a recent study, the Boulder Crest approach has been shown to be two to three times more effective than traditional mental health approaches, according to Falkes.
The purchase of Apache Springs Ranch was made possible by the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation. Programs have already begun at the Apache Springs site, which has a staff of nine employees, led by executive director Sean Bode.
In addition to the therapeutic program, there are three cabins available at Apache Springs, equipped for family ‘rest and reconnection’ retreats. Facilities include an archery range, a labyrinth, a tipi, hiking trails, an exercise area, a playground, a fishing pond, walled garden, and horses, donkeys, longhorns and chickens. The cabins are available for two to seven-day stays, free of charge, to combat veterans, first responders, and gold star families.
There are ample opportunities for volunteer participation at the Sonoita center, according to Sarah Fehrer, Boulder Crest’s director of Development. Anyone interested in volunteering, or in donating, should visit the organization’s website: http://www.bouldercrestretreat.org/getinvolved/