Eleven military couples arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska Memorial Day weekend to begin a lifechanging week of Biblically based marriage enrichment training.
Memorial Day weekend marked the start of the Operation Heal Our Patriots 2023 summer season. Eleven military couples, from eight states and Puerto Rico, arrived on Sunday, May 28, at Samaritan Lodge Alaska where they were greeted by a flag-waving, enthusiastic crowd that included staff, volunteers, and local town residents. The patriots and their spouses received boisterous cheers, hearty handshakes, and numerous thanks for their service.
Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers give veterans and their spouses a warm greeting over Memorial Day weekend 2023.
“Being Memorial Day weekend makes this time at Samaritan Lodge Alaska even more special,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham. “This is an opportunity for us to honor these warriors and their spouses and all veterans, especially the names of those who have come through here and are no longer with us. And as we remember the men and women in uniform who have served our nation, please remember those here who carry the scars of battle on their bodies and in their minds. We look forward to what God will do in their lives this week.”
For the next 17 weeks, up to 11 couples each week will go through marriage enrichment training, which includes daily classes led by Christian military chaplains. As part of the program, they will also have the chance to experience once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventures—flyfishing, hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing—in beautiful Lake Clark National Park and surrounding areas.
Most important though is the opportunity to connect with each other and with God and to experience the healing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Franklin Graham and Samaritan Lodge staff and volunteers greet wounded veterans and their spouses as they deplane.
On Monday, May 29, our chaplains led a Memorial Day service to honor all of those who gave the last full measure of devotion to our nation, especially the 122 warriors whose names are on bracelets previously tacked to the Samaritan Lodge flagpole by Operation Heal Our Patriots veterans who served alongside them in combat.
Marine Lance Corporal Peter Kehs and Marine Corporal Joe Valencia raised the American flag and lowered it to half-staff to begin the ceremony. Chaplain Chris Siemers then read Isaiah 40:6-8, which speaks about the brevity of life but how God’s Word lives forever. Five veterans from our staff then read the 122 names of fallen Operation Heal Our Patriots comrades. A moment of silence followed before Siemers closed the time in prayer and gave God thanks for sending His Son Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for us all.
Helping Strengthen Military Marriages Since 2012
Since this Samaritan’s Purse project started in 2012, we have welcomed 1,546 couples to Alaska. We praise God that 672 participants have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, 799 have been baptized by our chaplains in Lake Clark, and 760 couples have recommitted their marriages to one another and to God.
Franklin Graham prayed over couples soon after their arrival on Sunday at Samaritan Lodge Alaska.
But Alaska is just the beginning. When the couples return home, they become a part of our Family Care ministry, which is a year-round, lifetime commitment Operation Heal Our Patriots makes to them and their families. Through a team of chaplains and key leaders, we provide ongoing care, support, and encouragement. Family Care also provides many events and opportunities through the year to grow, lead, serve, and connect through Operation Heal Our Patriots.
Please pray for the couples who come each week this summer that their lives and marriages will grow stronger and that they will find the healing that they need. Pray also for our volunteers and staff as they serve in Jesus’ Name.
Note: This article was originally published on May 26, but has been updated on May 29 to reflect that couples have arrived and the season has begun. All photos are now from 2023.
The second planeload of wounded veterans and their spouses arrives at Samaritan Lodge Alaska on May 28, 2023.
