Strengthening Military Marriages

Operation Heal Our Patriots Offers Physical and Spiritual Refreshment to Military Couples

OUR SEVENTH SEASON: 16 WEEKS, 160 MORE COUPLES. PLEASE PRAY.

Memorial Day weekend marked the start of the 2018 Operation Heal Our Patriots summer season. Each week for 16 weeks, a new group of 10 wounded veterans and their spouses will arrive in Alaska for a time of Christ-centered marriage enrichment.

Military couples are flown to our wilderness lodge where veteran chaplains teach marriage classes focused on Biblical solutions, lead daily devotions from God's Word, and offer private spiritual counsel. Our patriot couples also have opportunities for physical refreshment as they participate together in activities such as kayaking, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

“For real, long-term healing, wounded service members need a sound foundation,” says retired Marine Brigadier General Jim Walker, who serves as the project's executive director. “That foundation has two parts: a strong marriage and a strong faith in Christ. That’s it. That’s the whole program. That’s what we’re doing in Alaska.”

Franklin Graham, Greta Van Susteren, and her husband John Coale joined our military couples for a day of fishing.
Franklin and Jane Graham welcome Marine Sergeant Mike Allison and his wife Courtney to Samaritan Lodge. Mike was injured in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq. "This couldn't have come at a more perfect time. It's our anniversary week," Courtney said. "We want to make sure we stay on the narrow path."
Veterans arrive at Samaritan Lodge Alaska greeted by staff, volunteers, and local residents providing a hero's welcome. Nearly 1,000 couples have come to Samaritan Lodge Alaska since 2012, and we praise God so many lives have changed.
Will Graham, vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, joins Cissie Graham Lynch and husband Corey Lynch in greeting military couples as they deplane at Samaritan Lodge.
Franklin Graham recently met Army Staff Sergeant John Ricketts and his wife Christina. John's vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. As a result of his injuries, doctors had to amputate both his legs. While in Alaska, the couple rededicated their marriage to the Lord and resolved to seek His guidance for their lives.
Each week new planeloads of wounded combat veterans and their spouses are given a hero's welcome to Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Operation Heal Our Patriots exists to strengthen the marriages of these military couples.
Marine Staff Sergeant Chris Stanton is greeted by children in the local community and by Samaritan Lodge staff and volunteers. Chris is just one of an expected 160 wounded veterans who will come to Alaska this summer with their spouses for a week of marriage enrichment.
Army Staff Sergeant Fred Boyer and his wife Rachael paddled Lake Clark on July 3. Operation Heal Our Patriots was started in 2012 and, by the end of this year, about 1,000 military couples will have participated in the project.
Alaska provides a beautiful, picturesque backdrop for marriage enrichment through Operation Heal Our Patriots. Hiking in pristine wilderness offers veterans and their spouses time to connect with each other, other military couples, and with God.
Army Sergeant Dan McAfee and his wife Colleen enjoy a morning paddling together on Lake Clark. Tanalian Mountain and a number of other peaks surround this pristine, glacier-fed body of water. Kayaking is among the first activities military couples enjoy during their week at Samaritan Lodge.
Couples enjoy time at a beautiful lake-filled crater in Katmai National Park. The unparalleled beauty of Alaska's wilderness provides the perfect backdrop for strengthening military marriages and helping veterans and their spouses draw closer to God and each other.
Marine Sergeant Mark Smith and his wife Tabitha hiked to Tanalian Falls. Mark lost his left leg below the knee due to a land mine in Iraq. "We're learning new things about each other and about ourselves,” he said. Tabitha said the week helped them realize they have to fight for their marriage.
A few years ago, Marine Sergeant Landon Beck and his wife Jessica were on the verge of financial ruin and their marriage was in jeopardy until they started following Christ. They rededicated their marriage to God while in Alaska.
Army Staff Sergeant Bobby Dove and his wife Emmy enjoy a day on our boat the Jay Hammond exploring and fishing on Lake Clark.
Everyone's getting ready for the polar plunge, a weekly event for couples to jump off the dock at Samaritan Lodge and into the ice cold waters of Lake Clark. At the start of the season, temperatures are in the low to mid-40s.
Army Sergeant Luis Figueroa dives into the frigid Lake Clark waters during the weekly polar plunge. "I'm really grateful for the opportunity, the classes, and the knowledge, the care," Luis said. His wife, Aracelis, said "This is the first time ever he's been open to talk about his experiences."
Army Staff Sergeant Jared Stacey walks to a bear viewing location with Retired Marine Brigadier General Jim Walker, Executive Director of Operation Heal Our Patriots. Bear viewing at Brooks Falls is one many exciting excursions in Alaska.
Military couples enjoy an afternoon fly fishing on the Tanalian River at the base of picturesque Tanalian Falls.
Retired military chaplains lead Biblically-based marriage enrichment classes throughout the week. Through these training sessions couples learn about God's purpose for marriage and family, how to communicate and listen effectively, and how to cope with the lasting effects of combat deployment and injury.
Couples enjoy an afternoon together exploring a waterfall near Samaritan Lodge. Alaska provides couples opportunities to form strong friendships while strengthening marriages, experiencing God against a backdrop of pristine wilderness.
Military couples are reminded of God's promises in Alaska not only through clear presentations of the Gospel but also through beautiful moments like this in God's creation.
After one of the later classes, Army Specialist Luke and Emily Godson wrote down issues hindering them from moving forward in their marriage and burned the pieces of paper in the firepit. "Words really can't convey how deeply grateful I am. For me personally there's been some deep healing," Luke said.
Marine Major Bob and Rebecca Schmidt were high school sweethearts and weathered his 26-year military career. They were both saved and baptized during their stay in Alaska. "The other day we accepted Jesus as our Savior, to walk in his path—that's big for us," Bob said.
Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham prays with military couples after their baptism. We praise God that marriages have been renewed and many individuals have turned to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith in summer.
Angie Watkins, wife of Army Sergeant Leroy Watkins, was baptized in Lake Clark. She was a follower of Christ for many years, but had never been baptized. "This is a public declaration of my love for Jesus and it symbolizes washing away my old self and emerging a new creation in Christ."
“I gave my life to Jesus. I knew about God, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him," said Cherie Workman. Cherie's husband, Army Staff Sergeant Rich Workman, rededicated his life to God and they were both baptized in Lake Clark.
Nick and Bree, right, join Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Fischer and his wife Brandi as the couples symbolically burn hurt and burdens in the fire at Samaritan Lodge.
Franklin Graham encourages couples at the Samaritan Lodge fireside chat during Week Six of Operation Heal Our Patriots. After leaving Alaska couples access our Aftercare program including on-call chaplains, regional retreats and training, and an annual reunion.
Dennis Agajanian performs for veterans and spouses at Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Dennis has a heart for veterans and for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He also happens to be one of the fastest guitar pickers in the world.
Military couples took a short plane ride out to Kijik Lake for a day of hiking and fly fishing. Husbands and wives are able to bond as they enjoy time with each other in beautiful Alaska.
Franklin Graham with Air Force Staff Sergeant Bryant Patterson and his wife Akera. “This program is good for redefining purpose in a person’s life who may have lost it due to war,” Bryant said.
Franklin Graham says goodbye to Marine Staff Sergeant Chris Sharon as he prepares to leave Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Alaska is only the beginning for our military couples. Through our Aftercare program Graham says couples are "part of our family now."
Couples return to their everyday lives with full hearts and new tools for their marriage. Samaritan's Purse continues to follow up with couples after they leave Alaska through our aftercare program, which provides around-the-clock access to our chaplains as well as additional training events.

Check out our photo collection above throughout the 2018 season. New photos will be added to the mix regularly. Come back weekly to see the latest!

We also invite you to see more photos and read some of this year's stories of combat-wounded service members and their spouses who have experienced God's healing love.

LATEST STORIES: Celebrating God’s Work in Our Military Couples • Thanking God for Military Couples Saved in Alaska • A Hurting Marriage Begins to Heal from the Wounds of War • Fresh Start in Alaska Based on a Rock-Solid Foundation • Alaska Restart • About-Face • "My Life Has Been Changed" • Military Spouses Open Up About Trials, Triumphs, and God's Redeeming Love • Thanking God for Lives Transformed in Alaska • Military Couples Start Fresh After Alaska Adventure • "We Are Going to Cherish This for the Rest of Our Lives" • Operation Heal Our Patriots Begins Seventh Season in Alaska

Samaritan’s Purse started Operation Heal Our Patriots in 2012 to strengthen the marriages of military personnel wounded in combat or combat-related activities after 9/11. Over the past six years, our staff has welcomed nearly 850 couples to Alaska to participate in the project—by the end of this year the number will top 1,000. We praise God that so far more than 340 individuals have made commitments to Jesus Christ, 428 have been baptized, and almost 400 couples have publicly rededicated their marriages to the Lord during their stay at Samaritan Lodge. And we are thankful that there is more good news to report week-by-week each summer.

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“It has been amazing to see what God is doing in the lives and marriages of these American heroes. These husbands and wives have sacrificed so much for the sake of our liberty, and we are now seeing many of them find true freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham.

“These husbands and wives have sacrificed so much for the sake of our liberty, and we are now seeing many of them find true freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ.”—Franklin Graham

Our ministry to these couples does not end in Alaska as we follow up with them over the long term through our aftercare program. Our staff connects couples with local churches, engages families through regular personal contact (phone calls, emails, social media, visits), and meets with them at regional get-togethers. In addition, Operation Heal Our Patriots reunions and regional training events benefit couples by providing more Christian teaching and tools to fortify their marriage. Many of the participants have also developed deep relationships with one another and support each other directly in a variety of ways.

The 2018 summer season runs from May 27 to Sept. 14.The first 15 weeks are for wounded U.S. service members and their spouses, while the 16th week is reserved for those representing the Canadian armed forces.

Thank you for praying for our military couples, staff, and volunteers this year. The 2018 Operation Heal Our Patriots summer season has come to a close. Please continue to pray for all current couples and the many new couples who will join us in 2019 at Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Ask God to give them open hearts and minds, so they can draw closer to Him and to one another.

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OPERATION HEAL OUR PATRIOTS

LEARN MORE ABOUT PAST SEASONS

2016 Operation Heal Our Patriots Season

2017 Operation Heal Our Patriots Season

Strengthening Military Marriages

Operation Heal Our Patriots Offers Physical and Spiritual Refreshment to Military Couples

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