Project Gallantly Forward

Project Gallantly Forward aspires to be the nation’s leading Veteran retreat, creating a judgment-free refuge of healing and empowerment for Veterans and their families. Through Veteran-to-Veteran support within a serene setting, PGF will equip Veterans with the tools and resources necessary to regain momentum and thrive in their post-service lives.

This community of Veteran-to-Veteran support will be established by local and visiting Veterans at the retreat:

• Local Veterans volunteering at the retreat, taking classes at the conference center, and attending events.
• Veterans nationwide bringing their families for 5-7 day R&R stays at the two cabins or 3 RV spots.
• Individual Veterans staying for several months for transitional living assistance: volunteering at the retreat, teaching classes, and supporting each other.
• Hosting of small to medium size retreats with programming, to include PTS support.

Retreat Expansion

Building of the Veterans retreat will be a phased approach.

Phase 1: RV Spots (Complete)

The retreat-site was selected, and the field prepped to include a parking lot and 3 RV Spots complete with electric and water hook-ups.

Limiting camping began February 2024 – no hookups, just an open field to park in. Graveled spots were added in September 2024, and hook ups completed in Spring 2025.

Phase 2: Cabins (Complete)

Two cabins are on-site and available for booking as of Summer 2025. The cabins can sleep up to 5 people, are fully furnished, and include a full bath and kitchenette.

Currently, with the 3 RV spots and 2 cabins available for 5-7 day stays for Veterans with their families, PGF has the capability to reach over 250 Veteran families each year.

These cabins were built with Veterans in mind. Read more about our current offerings and how they provide respite for Veterans here.

Phase 3: Community Center – Conference Center, Bathhouse, Laundry (In-Process)

The Community Center will be the heart of the Veterans retreat: a place where camaraderie, healing and shared purpose will come to life.

The addition of a Community Center will serve multiple purposes.

• Retreats with Programming: The center will create space for retreats, conferences, and workshops with programming, to include subjects such as PTS. Recent plans include seating capabilities of 80+ people.
• Classes: The center would be a space for classes which encourage stress reduction, improved mental health and holistic coping skills for Veterans. Classes may include subjects such as martial arts, agriculture, yoga, meditation, Bible Study, etc. These will be available for both local Veterans and those staying at the retreat for R&R, cultivating deeper community and Veteran-to-Veteran support.
• Needed Facilities: Additionally, this multi-purpose building will provide bathrooms for visiting Veterans who are not staying in the cabins. This is needed for local Veterans who come to events on-site, as well as Veterans camping at the retreat. The building will also include a laundry room, which is needed for cleaning cabins between R&R stays.
• And More! We are finalizing plans and exploring best use of space. Additional ideas include an office for 1:1 meetings, a handicap accessible bedroom for increased accessibility, outdoor patio space, etc.

100% of the funding for the Community Center has been raised through $100k generously donated by the Wright Brothers Construction Company and a triple matching campaign made possible by two anonymous donors.

Phase 4: Transitional Living

Project Gallantly Forward will offer a limited openings for Veterans who need an extended stay at the retreat to address more severe reintegration issues.  At the farm, Veterans will have many opportunities to interact with other Veterans. They will also be provided with skills training, such as animal husbandry, gardening, agri-business, homesteading, and other capabilities that can give them a sense of purpose, boost self confidence and self-esteem. A building for transitional housing has been identified, however, additional funding and staff are necessary prior to having Veterans on-site longer term with additional support needs.

Many Veterans living on disability struggle with reintegration and lack of purpose. According to VA.gov, in 2016 the Veteran’s Benefit administration paid over 27 billion dollars in annual benefits to more than 680,000 Veterans receiving disability compensation at the 100% rate. These Veterans have medical and psychological disabilities that warrant that level of compensation. However, there are unintended consequences created when Veterans are not allowed to work, such as: losing meaning and purpose in life, becoming increasingly depressed and often descending into substance abuse as a coping mechanism. The solution to provide needed financial support creates new problems for Veterans who have a deep need to contribute, feel like their lives matter, make an impact on the world, and maintain a sense of identity as an independent and capable human being deserving of respect.

Veterans will regain purpose through volunteering at PGF and working with other Veterans who visit the retreat. Veterans may volunteer through assisting in day-to-day operations of the program, including grounds upkeep, maintenance, overseeing leisure activities, and provide outreach and support to attendees. Veterans may also lead excursions with community partners.

Phase 5 and Beyond: Future Ideas

We would love to add activities on-site and partner with local businesses to offer excursions for visiting Veterans. These will be added as funding and partnership opportunities become available.

• Natural Playground: Using natural elements to encourage visiting kids to be physically active.
• Retreat-site chicken coop and farm animals: The current chicken coop is privately owned and available to visit based on scheduling availability. PGF would like to build a coop at the site of the cabins and RV spots for ease of use. Additionally, a barn and pin could be added for petting-zoo type animals such as goats or Highland cattle.
• Retreat-site garden: Currently, the garden, fruit trees and fruiting bushes are privately owned and available to pick base don scheduling availability. PGF would like to have a community garden, as well as blueberry and blackberry bushes and fruiting trees at the retreat site for ease of use.
• Meditation Labyrinth: To encourage mindfulness and support mental health.
• Sport Court: Multi-sport court (pickleball, basketball, volleyball) to encourage physical activity, with community nights available for awareness-building.
• Tent Camping: A tent-camp section in the wooded area of the retreat would allow for an expansion of offerings and increase in people who could attend retreats.
• Other Activities: Sky deck for improved star viewing experience, archery range, zipline, vineyard, and airsoft course. Community partnerships to offer recreational excursions like white water rafting, hang gliding, car racing and sky diving, to give Veterans a way of experiencing the adrenaline rush they have been missing since leaving the military.

---