What They Are Saying
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“I was not military but I had Vietnam drafty. I need to pay it back. This is right up my ally to show up by building stuff for a good cause and allow my creative side to fly... Everyone who volunteers is fantastic I have a whole new groups of friends met here. There is a lot of talent and there’s always someone here to learn from. I’m able to take home what I learn here and add it to my own personal life.”
— Bill Aller
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“This cause is such a huge scale project. The story of how the property became available is destined in itself. Everything has come together as if it were always meant to be.”
— Mark Vigil
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“War is hell. It can do a lot of things to many different people... fortunately, we can be set at ease through our struggles while we are here. It’s a place we can still come together and continue to talk about our son Miles.”
— Parent
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“Plenty of people going through the same things, it’s important to me, to be here to communicate with others. This is a place to talk and hang out. Utilize it. The difference between us and others is that relationships continue, mentorships are available to be friends and in contact for life.”
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“A lot of people with PTSD keep themselves busy and try to not focus in on themselves and their problems. This place allows for them to stop fighting that. They can really slow down and repair their souls.”
-Montana Hornsby
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“The possibilities are limitless. We are very grateful to be part of this cause.”
-Melanie Vigil
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“Life’s a garden, dig it!”
-Miles Vigil (deceased)
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“Not every 10 year old boy gets to contribute to things like this with manual labor and learning to use power tools. It’s really cool to watch my boys learn new skills.
-Whitmers
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“My favorite part is that it’s fantastic when your passion for volunteering alines with something you really enjoy doing. When it feels less like work, it really becomes enjoyable.”
-Jeff Whitmer
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“The amount of work we have done at the yurt, we would agree we get way more out of it than what we have. Being involved with people like the Schlichte’s and volunteers, ya know there’s quality relationships there.”
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“We have chemicals in our bodies dopamine, serotonin, they all place roles for us and do good things for us. Everything I’ve done up here have helped me to balance my body here. Even down to observing find that satisfaction of learning a new skill. It’s a good place for me to be, chemically.”
-Mike Sutton
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“A dude ranch always has chores stacking up- come up. There’s always something to learn and do.”
-Tad
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“I don’t think the Schlichte’s understand what it really means to allow volunteers up here to serve and give of themselves. It in turn helps those people. It’s emotion to me. It’s a magnificent opportunity. I hope my children and my grandchildren comes up here. I hope for this place to have that kind of longevity for generations to come.”
-Mike Sutton
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“I hope I make the benefits of volunteering up here clear- there’s isn’t a day I leave that someone doesn’t say “thanks.” When in reality I should be the one saying, “no, thank you.”
-Mike Sutton
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Getting in on the ground floor to help veterans is such a great opportunity. It’s the best thing I could be doing with my weekends.”
-James Sutton
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“I didn’t serve in the military, so really it’s my opportunity to pay it forward. That’s why I commit so much time. Kari and I love it here.” - Tad Rasmussen
- Tad Rasmussen
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“Designing and building the mobile cowsheds was fun. They are designed on skis to be transportable, as we all know cattle get moved all over the mountainside.”
-Tad Rasmussen
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“This place is full of diamonds in the rough. Those people are often times, more than not, the regular volunteers that dedicate their time here because they want to pay it forward to our veterans.”
- Tad Rasmussen
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“It’s a great place for veterans and active military to rest and recuperate. The land itself beings about recuperation to me while I’m volunteering there. Im not a vet myself but anything I can do to contribute in my own way.”
-Jack Carrick
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“Watching the youth work hard is definitely the highlight. It’s complimentary and humbling as a dad to watch my boys enjoy serving and give of their time.”
-Jack Carrick
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“I want the greenhouse to be bursting with life and variety for our veterans that visit here... I have such appreciation for these families and just to be able to do anything at all for them, fills my heart.”
-Abby Roberts
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“We are so blessed to have been able to be at your paradise for a week. It was so amazing for all of us and it is just what we needed. Thank you for what you do for so many! We will be back soon!!!!❤️”
— Tiffany V.
