We explored the narrative of reintegration after combat through the experiences of two new perspectives: Doug and Rebecca Legan. Doug and Rebecca spent many years together in the military, with Becca having military parents herself. We see their reintegration process through WVST’s winter retreat, where Vertikal Counseling helps make discussing their experiences easier. Becca notes, “After participating in the retreat, it was the first time I had seen him happy in years.”
The retreat wasn’t only beneficial for Doug and Becca; seven Gold Star young adults also participated in a retreat in the Polebridge wilderness. Many of them had first-time experiences there, such as sleeping in a tent, cooking over a fire, and communal living. They had an amazing time, with one of them saying upon departure, “Thank you so much for this experience. Y’all have changed my life!”
This year’s winter retreat included six veterans and their spouses, who were sponsored for six unforgettable days of skiing and snowboarding on Big Mountain. Overall, this year was a major success, and we hope to continue these efforts in the future.