Welcome
Dear Friends of the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm,
Welcome to Fall 2024, a sign of TRANSITION not just in the seasons of weather, but also in the seasons of life for many of our Patriots at Valor Farm. While transition is often uncertain and a little scary for all of us, it usually marks change and progress, a pilgrimage “from” somewhere “to” somewhere else. Perhaps it is the simple transition from the heat of Summer to the cool evenings and multi-colored leaves in the Fall; or more significantly, a transition from dark to light or from pain to purpose. For many of our Patriots it is also the spiritual transition to a life of faith (“If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, the new has come.”)
In a week the Invictus Cohort will transition from their nine-month residential program, moving onto employment, reunion with family and friends, and futures as Healthy Veterans. Likewise in transition, the Wrangler and Gladiator Cohorts will graduate from their respective trimester courses while we also welcome a new, yet to be named Cohort to begin their own nine-month journey toward healing and health.
While we are seeing larger numbers of Veterans move through our programs, it is important to remember that each of our Patriots is unique with specific needs and amazing potential – the reason we call Veterans “America’s Untapped National Treasures.” America needs these Healthy Veterans now more than ever before and their transition through various stages of healing and preparation at NCHV are critical to this process.
Here’s a preview of the many TRANSITIONS and progress underway at Valor Farm:
- Plays of the Day – Village 2 Excavation, Matching Grant, Word of the Day, Horsemanship
- Meet the Team – John Merola, NCHV Donor and Ambassador
- Diving Deeper – “Turning Points” by Dr. Ken Nichols
- In The Media – Village 2 Excavation Video, Dr. Ken Word of the Day clip, 9/11 Remembrance Video
- Prayer Points – Massing God’s artillery on behalf of Veterans, America, and the world
We are grateful for your partnership in this noble mission to do what is morally right for our Veterans who have sacrificed so much, and to do what is practically necessary to help them preserve the America they have secured for us. Your cheers, prayers, volunteerism, and financial support are essential as our team daily walks alongside America’s Veterans on this journey.
Blessings and gratitude to each of you,
Robert F. Dees
Major General, U.S. Army, Retired
President and CEO, National Center for Healthy Veterans
YOUR encouragement and generosity
have made these amazing things happen at Valor Farm. We certainly welcome and need your further support on behalf of Returning Healthy Veterans to America!
Join our Healthy Veterans Community!
Meet The Team
| Village 2 Excavation: We are continuing excavation of the ground for our second Healthy Veterans Village, where 25 new tiny homes and a community center will soon rise to help more Veterans heal. A huge shoutout to United Rentals, Haynes Brothers, Master Gunnery Sergeant Robert Campbell, and volunteers. |
“Almost There”: We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received a $250k matching grant from Clark Associates to support our community center in Village 2. We’re excited to announce that we’re nearly there—just $50k away from reaching our match goal!
Word of the Day: One of the most cherished elements of our program is the “Word of the Day.” Each week, we select a new word, and a different individual is designated each day to give a brief devotional on that word before lunch. This practice provides our staff and patriots with valuable opportunities to advance and enhance their speaking skills, and do a positive reset in the middle of every day. Examples include: Purpose, Authenticity, Trust, Resilience, Integrity, Respect for Others, etc.
Horsemanship: In our Horsemanship class at Valor Farm, our Patriots learn all the basics of horse care and handling from a natural horsemanship perspective. From haltering and grooming to riding and accomplishing real-life ranch tasks, they learn to work together with their equine and human partners to accomplish goals, as well as control their own emotions and responses to maintain confident and healthy leadership roles.
John Merola, CEO of Merola Tile Distributors of America
“Tile is earthy. It’s made from sand and clay and fire. It’s durable, it’s strong, it’s hard… but it’s also a thing of beauty.” –John Merola
NCHV is pleased to highlight sponsorship by Merola Tile who has graciously named one of their new tiles “Valor”, branded the cartons with NCHV logo and QR code, and are providing “rev share” donations to NCHV with every carton sold. In addition, they are upgrading our Healthy Veterans market with Merola tile throughout and allowing us to sell their products to benefit Valor Farm. We are grateful!
For more context on the dynamic leader behind Merola Tile and his company’s generosity, let’s learn more about John Merola, who has a history and character as full of grit, energy, and endurance as the tiles he loves. Born into a bustling family of eleven siblings, John’s story began in the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, New York. His formative years were shaped by the values instilled by his father and his brother Kevin, whose entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for John’s remarkable career.
John’s journey into the world of tiles began at the age of 17 when he got a job at the local tile shop where his brother Kevin worked. He started by crafting sample boards, then applied his hustle to gain knowledge in tile sales, manufacturing, and design. When his brother Kevin first embarked on his entrepreneurial journey to found Merola Tile Sales Co. in their parents’ basement, John went on to hone his skills at another tile store. However, he soon left to join forces with his brother in 1989, a move that helped transform the company’s trajectory.
Through Kevin’s leadership and John’s initiative, the Merola Tile Sales Co. experienced unparalleled growth and innovation. In 1989, the company moved from the family basement to an office, and burgeoning sales soon led to the purchase of a 5,000-square-foot facility in Queens with additional staff. John quickly became the top sales driver, outperforming all of the other salespeople combined.
During the 1990s, the company grew quickly and moved to a larger 10,000-square-foot warehouse. In 1998, John’s visionary approach to tile sales led to the creation of a sub-company—Merola Tile Distributors of America—dedicated to a partnership with Home Depot. This decision, driven by John’s dynamic product ranges, innovative displays, and a unique order processing system, propelled the company’s success and solidified its place in the market. By 2006, John moved the company of 10 employees to a new 60,000-square-foot facility in NJ, while Kevin continued to lead the NY division.
John’s foresight once again impacted the industry when he spearheaded the company’s venture into online sales, the first US tile company to do so, making them pioneers in the online tile market. Focusing on content, quality, and customer experience, Merola Tile’s online presence soared, leading to remarkable growth, and establishing them as leaders in the digital marketplace.
While space does not allow, there is much to be learned from John’s personal story and the meteoric journey of Merola tiles: the uniquely positive company culture, the highest of ethical standards, his pursuit of leadership excellence through a VISTAGE group headed by NCHV Ambassador Roger Miller, creative partnering with industry experts and other humanitarian causes (including NCHV!), and the artistic preservation of historic roots regarding the tile industry.
Merola Tiles’ growth from $4 million and a few employees to its current $40 million and a team of over 125 individuals is a testament to the positive impact of John Merola’s leadership and influence. But there is another factor that drives the company’s success: John’s exceptional talent for tile design and aesthetics.
From humble beginnings to a multi-million-dollar enterprise, John Merola’s journey epitomizes the American Dream. His ability to transform adversity into opportunity, coupled with his indomitable work ethic, has left an indelible mark on the tile industry. As the CEO of Merola Tile Distributors of America, John Merola continues to shape the future of the industry, inspiring entrepreneurs, employees, and tile enthusiasts along the way. NCHV is extremely grateful for John and his Merola Tile team who help us help America’s Veterans. Click to learn more about this amazing CEO and his generous company.
PS – Try out Merola Tile! You’ll like it!
Diving Deeper
TURNING POINTS
What To Do When You Think Whatever You Do Won’t Really Matter
by Kenneth W. Nichols, Psy.D
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Many Patriots have been overwhelmed with life stress and underwhelmed with their experience of lasting change. Their search for programs, plans, and promises has at times contributed to negative thinking, emotional trauma, and chronic indecision. Wounded Patriots, whether they suffer from physical, relational, spiritual, or emotional wounds, can become disillusioned about experiencing hope, help, and healing.
DIGGING DEEPER
Matt White, a journeyman pitcher trying to make the Los Angeles Dodgers, could become baseball’s first billionaire player. It has nothing to do with the Windsor, Mass., native’s arm. He owns a rock quarry in Cummington, Mass.
White, who has appeared in seven big league games in nine professional seasons, paid $50,000 three years ago to buy 50 acres of land from an elderly aunt who needed the money to pay for a nursing home. While clearing out a couple of acres to build a home, he discovered stone ledges in the ground, prompting him to have the property surveyed.
A geologist estimated there were 24 million tons of the stone on his land. The stone is being sold for upward of $100 per ton, meaning there’s well over $2 billion worth of material used for sidewalks, patios, and the like. It all started with a shovel full of gravel!
DIGGING WITH DISCERNMENT
As a professional psychologist, pastor, and professor, I value the importance of digging deeper. I am careful not to allow the deeper search to overlook the therapeutic value of the surface and the simple.
Here at NCHV every “shovel” full of effort contributes to getting ever closer to the God provided and God blessed treasure trove of hope, help and healing.
Achieving and maintaining Turning Points that change the trajectory of living life plan is a process of patient, painful, and purposeful renewing our minds (HEAD), of restoring our emotions (HEART), and changing our behavior, (HABITS).
HEAD | Turning Points In My Mind
Negative thought patterns have woefully distracted believers from basic biblical principles that God intended to provide comfort and courage. Instead, a steady diet of negative messages has embedded in our minds and imaginations.
Chronic negative thoughts contribute to the illusion that there is nothing we can do that will matter anyway.
Our clinical and support staff can assist the Patriots to attain significant Turing Points by helping them develop healthy thought patterns. The key concept here is that our thoughts, even when facing a storm, can remain steady because we have replaced “awfulizing” circumstances with faith, mindfulness, and clearing clutter of toxic negative thinking.
HEART | Turning Points In My Emotions
Another critical element in the management of a life crisis is cultivating a heart of courage. The Bible reminds and research illustrates that fear has torment but “perfect love casts out fear.” A calm heart radiates from our emotional patterns. When we intentionally remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness, our hearts embrace the truth with a new sense of emotional stability.
HABIT | Turning Points In My Decisions
In addition to addressing patterns of negative thinking and emotional despair, we need to cultivate healthy and responsible life habits. Indecision is often based on the faulty belief that nothing I do really matters.
GOOD NEWS
Returning healthy veterans to the community does not suggest they are without ongoing challenges, but the good news is that they are equipped for and capable of life-changing and life-lasting Turning Points.
HOPE IS THE ABILITY TO HEAR THE MUSIC OF THE FUTURE – FAITH IS THE COURAGE TO DANCE TO IT TODAY!
Village Two Excavation at Valor Farm
Dr. Ken’s Word of the Day Video
Remembering September 11th and a look inside the 9/11 Memorial Museum
- Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. Scheduled Tourscontact@healthyveterans.org if interested.
- First & Third Thursdays: Community Campfire at Valor Farm 6pm Come join us for fellowship!
- Row4Valor Benefit for NCHV – Sep 10
- Bucks County PA Patriot Night – Sep 11
- Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Valor Farm – Oct 10
- New York City Boat Cruise in honor of Healthy Veterans – Oct 17
- NCHV Veterans Day Commemoration, Guest Speaker – Virginia Lieutenant Governor and Gubernatorial Candidate Winsome Earle-Sears – Monday, November 11, 2024
- Healthy Veterans Appreciation Dinner in Williamsburg – Nov 22
- Lord, in this election season, we ask for your guidance to remain steadfast in our mission of returning healthy veterans to America. Help us stay focused on serving those who have sacrificed so much, providing unwavering support and empowerment as they rebuild their lives. Amen.
- We give thanks for the visible and invisible signs of healing and restoration in the lives of our Veterans. May these transformations continue to blossom, a testament to Your love and the dedication of those who serve them. Amen.
- We encourage grateful prayers for our donors whose steadfast commitment makes our mission to Return Healthy Veterans to America possible. May their generosity inspire others to join us in this vital work.
- Pray for wisdom and knowledge to work with our Veterans who are suffering with PTS/PTSD and other mental and emotional issues.
- Pray that the work of the National Center for Healthy Veterans would continue to advance in the criteria needed to work with Veteran Families.
- Pray for the NCHV Staff and volunteers; continued health and stamina. Pray for their families. Praise God for the men and women He sends to continue the work of “Returning Healthy Veterans to America.”
- Join us in praising God for the beauty of His Creation — horses, rivers, cattle, valleys, chickens, the fruit of the land, the beauty of the fields, the wonder of His Creation.
