Welcome
Dear Friends of the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm,
This month of May is characterized by two bookends: The end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975 (50 years ago) and Memorial Day on May 26, 2025. These bookends are poignant reminders of the sacrifices of our military men and women over the history of our Nation. In “Diving Deeper” I will reflect on the nobility and tragedy of the Vietnam experience through the Vietnam Wall. Regarding Memorial Day, my mind’s eye turns to Arlington Cemetery, “pure white stones (grave markers) on blades of green grass” as former Senator Orin Hatch has termed it. Both the Vietnam Wall and Arlington Cemetery honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for each of us, similar to the sacrifice of Jesus, “who took our bullet” at Easter. While May will no doubt be a month full of recreation, Springtime, and meaningful accomplishments, may we also pause in quiet moments to contemplate those who have died so that we might live.
These are exciting times at Valor Farm, ranging from spiritual transformation to capacity building to stewarding the beautiful platform God has provided for our use. While we often can’t share many of the details, we are seeing Veterans return from imminent suicide to an awareness of the love and hope which is theirs via our NCHV Community, resurrected faith, and renewed purpose. We are also seeing an amazing physical transformation at Valor Farm with multiple construction projects moving toward completion. Fueled by a resilient spirit following the barn disaster, our staff has gained even greater confidence and competence in “Returning Healthy Veterans to America.” I can’t commend them highly enough, and I know you share my admiration for their combined efforts.
Here are some highlights from the National Center for Healthy Veterans this month:
Plays of the Day – Patriot Graduations, New Barn Excavation, Easter Sunrise Service, New Patriot Housewarming, Todd Beck House Dedication
Meet the Team – Jacob Corwin, Chief Operating Officer
Diving Deeper – Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War
In The Media – Village 2/3 Construction Update, Barn Excavation
Prayer Points – Join us in prayer as we continue to support and empower Veterans.
Thanks again for your encouragement, your volunteerism, your gifts-in-kind, your financial donations, your referrals of Veterans in need, and your prayers.
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!
Plays of the Day
Patriot Graduations – This month, we celebrated the incredible achievements of our Patriot Program graduates. Two Patriots completed the full program and Returned Healthy to America—a moment of pride for all of us. We also saw three more Patriots finish the Reboot Recovery trimester, and we’re thrilled to watch them move boldly into their third and final phase. Each of these stories is a testament to perseverance, growth, and the life-changing power of recovery and community. This is why we do what we do.
New Barn Excavation – This month, excavation for the new barn was both started and completed, clearing the way for the next phase of building the arena. It’s a major milestone and a clear sign of progress. What once was lost is now being renewed, and we’re grateful to see the Lord’s hand guiding each step forward as we rebuild with purpose and hope.
Easter Sunrise Service – We gathered early Easter morning in the Community Center with our Patriots and some of our staff to celebrate the resurrection in the quiet beauty of a sunrise. It was a peaceful and powerful time of worship, reminding us of the hope we have in Christ. As light broke over the horizon, we were reminded that even in darkness, God is always at work bringing new life.
New Patriot Housewarming – Welcome home, Patriot! We were thrilled to welcome another Veteran into our program this month. His family was right there by his side to drop him off and will be walking with him through this journey. We’re honored to be a part of his life change and can’t wait to see how God moves in him over the next nine months. This marks the beginning of a new chapter, and we are excited to support him as he works toward healing, growth, and transformation.
Todd Beck House Dedication – We had the honor of dedicating one of the new tiny homes in Village 2 in memory of Todd Beck. Thanks to the generosity of his family and friends, who helped raise the funds for this project, Todd’s vision for supporting the mission at Valor Farm has come to life. This new home stands as a tribute to his legacy and the impact of his heart for others. It also marks a significant step toward completing Village 2, and we look forward to the day when the first Patriot will call this house home.
Meet The Team
Jacob Corwin – Chief Operating Officer
Jacob Corwin has spent 17 years in the commercial farming, horse training, and ranching industries, and since 2021, has leveraged that experience to help return healthy veterans to America with the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm. Recently appointed as COO of NCHV, “Jake” oversees all operations, including construction, gardens and produce, livestock, grounds, maintenance, security, and the equine operation, which encompasses equine education, equine-assisted services, equine-related events, and equine training. He is also certified through Arenas for Change (ARCH) as an Equine Specialist.
Jake is a Virginia native who seeks to live by faith with integrity in community. His wife, Rachel, is a high school teacher and Beta Club sponsor in Chatham, Virginia. They are active in their church, volunteer leaders in Pittsylvania County Young Life, and coaches for their 7-year-old son Levi’s baseball teams. Jake is also currently serving as Vice President for the Campbell County Cattlemen’s Association. On the weekends, you may see Jake horseback in the rodeo arena escorting rowdy bulls to the back pens as a True Grit Rodeo safety rider, fishing the Big Otter River, or damaging his own mental health on the golf course.
Diving Deeper
Vietnam Wall Reflection – Bob Dees
Given that we have just observed the 50th Anniversary year of the end of the Vietnam War, let me reflect on the high human cost of war, including Vietnam. A number of years ago I walked the Vietnam Wall in DC with a lady who referred to herself as a Vietnam widow. She ran her hand across letters and names, often closing her eyes, until we got to the T row. Running her hand in circles on those names, she kept repeating “John Thompson, John Thompson, … “Then she exclaimed “He’s not here!” After my searching look, she said “John Thompson didn’t die in Vietnam, but he came home with an expiration date.” Immediately, I captured her profound truth – the Vietnam Wall of over 57,000 deaths in Vietnam is the top of the iceberg. Below the water level is the much larger, deeper, wider part of the iceberg; representing the broken bodies and minds, the shattered families, the interrupted dreams, and, yes, the loss of hope often ending in despair and suicide. Our Vietnam Veterans were noble warriors and most transitioned into lives of contribution and meaning. Even today, however, some when asked about when they were in Vietnam, respond with “Last Night.”
Despite their varying ages and the differing conflicts that have impacted America’s Veterans, the reality is that many are still trapped in an iceberg below the waterline in homelessness, incarceration, mental and behavioral challenges, and ultimately loss of purpose and identity. With both federal and state veteran care mechanisms, as well as many private sector outreach entities, we as a nation must continue to search for and rescue those still trapped under the water. We must bring them help, hope, and healing through community, life skills and trauma recovery, dignified work to provide purpose and self-esteem, and career preparation and transition skills to afford them a hope and a future.
With the help of partners and volunteers, this is our high calling and noble purpose at the National Center for Healthy Veterans (NCHV) at Valor Farm. We help “Return Healthy Veterans to America” — physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Let’s get them back on the track as trades people, entrepreneurs, coaches, educators, and societal role models of character, competence, and commitment. America Needs Her Veterans Like Never Before! Thank you for helping us help them.
As a PS, find a Vietnam Veteran to love today. Their service in the war was often a hellacious experience, and their return to America was frequently even more brutal with disrespect and abuse. May we together let these dear ones who sacrificed so much know that we value their contributions, we honor their service, we have not forgotten, and we will not accept that they have come home with an expiration date. May God Bless Them.
Calendar
- 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!
- Amway Event for NCHV – May 4th
- White Barn Vintage Fundraiser for NCHV – May 15-18
- NCHV at Dallas Fundraiser – June 4th
- NCHV at Philadelphia Fundraiser – June 26th
Prayer Points
- Pray for transition of leadership in Washington D.C., and for national security at home and abroad.
- 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.
- Without mentioning specifics, pray for the many Veterans and their families in our midst who have financial issues, health crises, relational dysfunction, and suffer from mental and emotional challenges. May God bring wellness to Veterans throughout the land. May we together, “Return 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.
- Pray that the work of the National Center for Healthy Veterans would rapidly advance to provide help, hope, and healing for our nation’s Veterans and their families.
