In Honor of America’s Heroes

Wednesday was the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, at the Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Since the attacks, nearly 5,300 U.S. military personnel have been killed in action and more than 51,000 have been wounded. Operation Enduring Freedom, which began in October 2001, continues today in Afghanistan. Operation Iraqi Freedom lasted from 2003 until 2010 and Operation New Dawn continued from 2010 until 2011.

Operation Heal Our Patriots, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, ministers to military couples whose lives have been forever altered by injuries or wounds sustained in combat or combat-related activities since 9/11. Over the past two years, close to 225 couples have participated in wilderness retreats in Alaska where they enjoyed opportunities for marriage enrichment, as well as physical and spiritual refreshment. Dozens have received new life in Christ during their stay.

These 12 photos represent just a few of the men and women touched through Operation Heal Our Patriots.

Sergeant First Class Tony Lang, ANG, stole a kiss from his wife, Tera, during their excursion to Twin Lakes in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Tony was wounded while serving two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. “You don’t forget some things you went through,” he said.

Marine Staff Sergeant Jesse Rowland and his wife, Shannon, prayed as they renewed their marriage vows during their Operation Heal Our Patriots experience in Alaska. They were also later baptized together in Lake Clark. Jesse was injured in a grenade explosion in Iraq in 2007.

Army veteran Scooter and Nadia Gatsch look out from Dick Proenneke’s historic cabin at Twin Lakes. Scooter suffered several serious injuries while serving in Afghanistan in 2007.

Staff Sergeant Scott Botts, USMC (Ret.), and his wife, Theresa, had fun pike fishing with Chaplain Jim Fisher (Captain, USN, Ret.). Jim and Scott are both veterans of Operation Desert Storm; they also served post 9/11, in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. Theresa said Operation Heal Our Patriots allowed she and Scott “to let the rest go and focus on God and each other.”

Sergeant Charles Caswell, USA (Ret.), and his wife, Joey, enjoyed their hike and a chance to go fishing at Tanalian Falls. Charles suffers with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his 2005 deployment to Iraq. “Two years ago we would never have done this. We would have stayed in the house,” Charles said. “We’ve come a long ways,” Joey followed up.

Reaching the top of Tanalian Mountain is no easy feat as the trail ends by climbing 3,300 feet in 2.5 miles. Army National Guardsman Tim Gustafson and his wife, Janice, both strong Christians, made the trek in 2012. Tim lost his right leg below the knee following an attack on his vehicle in Iraq in 2005.

At the end of their week in Alaska, Army Sergeant Ryan and Stephanie Myers were baptized in Lake Clark. “This is an opportunity for us to start our lives together in the Lord,” said Ryan, who was injured in 2011 while on patrol in Afghanistan. “We both fell away pretty hard. Coming here we were able to see how much we need Him.”

Master Sergeant Shawn Demenkow, USMC, and his wife, Anne, enjoyed a day of fishing. “She’s doing it for me,” Shawn said. “She knows I love fishing.” A Marine since 1991, Shawn has been deployed nine times, including five combat tours. He and Anne received Christ and were baptized during their Operation Heal Our Patriots retreat in June 2013.

Marine Sergeant Bartley Darraugh and his wife, Keirnan, were given a warm, patriotic welcome in Port Alsworth. Bartley, who served in Iraq in 2005, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury and is in the process of being medically retired. He trusted Christ for his salvation and was baptized while in Alaska. “I have prayed faithfully for my husband for years,” Keirnan said. “A little miracle happened this week. I feel such a sense of relief to know without a doubt that he is going to be with me eternally.”

Staff Sergeant Arthur Coleman, USA (Ret.), and his wife, Tramika, pose with their northern pike and guide Carlin Toews. Arthur was shot five times on Easter Sunday 2004 in Iraq, wounds which required a lengthy recovery. The couple left Alaska this August with a restored vision for their marriage and relationship with Christ.

Alicia and Specialist Shawn Gonzalez, USA (Ret.), grew closer together during their Operation Heal Our Patriots experience. Among other injuries, Shawn suffers from PTSD and TBI following a 2008 combat tour in Afghanistan.

Bev and retired Army Corporal Max Poyer shared many laughs with Susie and Army Sergeant Sam Aquino. Max served in Afghanistan from 2007-2008 and Sam did one combat tour in both Iraq and Afghanistan. “We’ve gotten really close to Max and Bev. It’s been fun,” Sam said before leaving Alaska last year.