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Aug
10
Healing Event
Filed Under Tears
By Janet J. Seahorn, Ph.D.
There is nothing more healing than being in nature, especially in the beautiful North Platte River Valley of Saratoga, Wyoming. The town, its people, and several organizations made possible another opportunity for veterans from the Cheyenne VA Hospital to spend three days fishing, golfing, horseback riding, biking, enjoying the hot springs, and of course eating…. lots and lots of eating.
This picturesque place is where ten veterans found a few moments of peace and rejuvenation.
Kristi Reuben, the therapeutic recreation director for the Cheyenne VA Medical Center brought her group of combat veterans to Saratoga, making their first stop for a picnic lunch on the Snowy Range Mirror Lake.
Once again, the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort hosted the group where they slept in comfortable, cozy bungalows. Many have never experienced such luxury and spacious surroundings. The mission of every person at the Resort was to take excellent care of their guests and make sure the veterans’ stay was a relaxing and exceptional occasion. On Thursday, Tom and Dixie Arthur invited the group to spend the afternoon and evening at their amazing Upper Cedar Creek Ranch where the veterans were treated to horseback riding, fishing in a beautiful lake setting and indulge in a barbecue of three types of elk sausages and scrumptious elk hamburgers that were a gourmet’s delight. Condiments from Old Baldy Club completed the dinner while desserts were home baked brownies and lemon bars from Sandy Streeter and Carol States’ kitchen. Every year the veterans enjoy the stunning surroundings and spend hours chatting and sometimes even sharing the stories behind their war trauma.
Offering such a unique event can only transpire when many individuals, organizations, and sponsors come together to provide services, fund raisers, and activities that meet the needs of our wounded warriors. Many volunteers act as guides, chauffeurs, and personal attendants to each veteran. Truly it does take a village to heal our wounded and Saratoga, Wyoming does an amazing job.
At the end of this year’s affair one veteran commented to Kristi that “if he died tomorrow he would be happy”. He spent three days soaking in the healing spa waters and rode a horse all the way from the ranch’s corral through green meadows to the top of the mountain for the barbecue. Perhaps this special time of immersing in nature may help our wounded veterans physically and mentally reflect on the healing process and the wondrous power of nature. Perhaps they will be able to recollect the solace of this place where they felt refreshed, safe, and at peace. The power of nature, the power of animals, the power of people and the commitment of a small Wyoming community are the genuine powers behind therapeutic healing.
