Welcome
Dear Friends of the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm,
In our leadership training at NCHV, we emphasize the leader axiom “Honor the Fallen and Lead the Living.” This month of May is the time we as a Nation “Honor the Fallen,” particularly poignant because of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of America. This “Founding” and the many times we have had to fight for freedom as a nation would not have been possible without the selfless service, the blood, the ultimate sacrifices of the many laid to rest in Arlington, and many other cemeteries around the world. In the words of the military ballad by Billy Ray Cyrus “All gave Some, and Some gave All,” we honor those who over these last 250 years have left it all on the field of battle, giving it ALL for past, present, and future generations of Americans. We honor these fallen Patriots every day, but particularly as we observe Memorial Day, 2026.
These remain 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 – Liberty Students Line Dancing Night, House on the Rock Bible Study, Barn Groundbreaking, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Meet the Team – Master Guns and Janine Campbell
Diving Deeper – Explaining the Iceberg Analogy which well explains the unique Veteran demographic which NCHV serves
In The Media – Iceberg Video, Bluegrass Veterans Ranch Video
Prayer Points – Join us in prayer as we continue to support and empower Veterans.
On the resource side, we are grateful for over 1500 new donors this past year. May I humbly encourage you to now become recurring donors, allowing us to have a more predictable and increased cash flow on a monthly basis. Thank you for considering how you might lean in a little more to help us “Return Healthy Veterans to America.” Together we can save more lives, reunite more families, and put more Veterans back on the street to do good things for the America they love.
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
Liberty Students Line Dancing Night
This month, we were honored to welcome a group of Liberty University students who hosted a Military and Turning Point line dancing night at the farm. What started as a simple student-led idea turned into a powerful evening of connection, bringing together Liberty students, active-duty service members, and Veterans from our local community. We were especially honored to have Jason Miyares in attendance, who shared thoughtful and encouraging words. Nights like these are a reminder that meaningful impact often starts with a willing group of people simply showing up.
House on the Rock Bible Study
We were recently introduced to the House on the Rock Bible study group from Liberty, who have begun hosting their gatherings at the farm. It has been a true blessing to welcome them in. Seeing so many young people on fire for the Lord, while also open and eager to learn about who we are and what we do, has been meaningful for everyone involved. It is encouraging to watch them come to the farm with both passion and humility, and we are grateful for the presence and energy they bring.
Barn Groundbreaking
A few weeks ago, we officially broke ground on the new barn, marking a major milestone in our rebuilding process. Construction is now underway, with steady progress being made toward a goal of completion in early fall. This step represents more than just a new structure. After the arena was completed last year, the barn and remote stalls serve as the final piece in fully restoring the equine capabilities that were lost in the fire.
This moment carries even greater weight when we reflect on where we were one year ago, just beginning the excavation of the burned barn site. What once felt like a season of loss is now clearly a season of rebuilding. It is a tangible picture of restoration and a testament to the support and perseverance that have carried this mission forward.
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
We closed out the month with our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, an evening set aside to honor the individuals who give so generously of their time and energy to this mission. It was a special time of fellowship, gratitude, and reflection as we gathered together and recognized the impact our volunteers make each day. From behind-the-scenes support to hands-on service, their contributions do not go unnoticed. This night served as a small opportunity to say thank you, while also celebrating the community that continues to make this place what it is.
Meet The Team
Robert and Janine Campbell
Construction Foreman and Chief of Staff
Robert and Janine live in Forest in Campbell County. Robert came to NCHV as a volunteer and was hired as the Construction Foreman 4 years ago and Janine is the Chief of Staff for the last 3 1/2 years.
They have been married for 31 years with 3 sons, Kenneth, Robert and Taylor, 1 Grandson Kyle and 2 Dobermans named Titan and Jaxson, who are a cherished part of their family.
Robert retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sgt after 30 years of service. Janine retired from Nursing after 18 years of caring for patients and families. Their shared background in service and care continues to shape their commitment to Veterans today.
Robert and Janine shares with us that “We are honored to stand beside and support Veterans as they continue their journey after sacrificing so much for our country. We have the privilege of walking alongside veterans as they pursue healing – mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is a blessing to witness hope restored, transformation taking place, and purpose renewed.
Our faith is a large role in our lives. We try each day to reflect love, grace, and compassion in how we serve and treat others. We want to serve our Veterans with love, patience, and kindness .
Outside of work we enjoy family time and spending time with our fur babies and staying connected with the Veteran Community by serving on the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council and Marine Corps League Board of Officers. Each day, we are grateful for how God keeps us grounded and gives us renewed energy to serve our Veterans.
We are truly grateful to be a part of the team at NCHV that is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of our Veterans. It is a blessing to serve in a place where faith and purpose come together to bring hope and healing for our Veterans.”
Diving Deeper
Understanding Veteran Demographics
by Bob Dees
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 column of Ts. Running her hand in circles on those names, she kept repeating “John Thompson, John Thompson.” Then she exclaimed “Where is He?” 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 tip 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.”
This diagram illustrates the Iceberg Analogy which explains Veteran Demographics in America today:
Despite their varying ages and the differing conflicts that have impacted American’s Veterans, the reality is that many are still trapped 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 these “Red Zone” Veterans and their Families 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. This is currently a gap in Veteran care which NCHV is starting to fill, given the scarce few longer term residential programs which provide the opportunity for a true life reset, an opportunity to rewire the brain, reshape the heart, and restore the soul.
This work to restore Red Zone Veterans is not for the weak or faint hearted, but that is exactly the niche that NCHV and other Healthy Veteran platforms (Connect Community Village at Bluegrass Veterans Ranch in Somerset, KY) fulfill in the Veteran Care ecosystem. We complement the many shorter-term programs who are not equipped to assist those truly needing longer term care. 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 “Return Healthy Veterans to America” – physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.
As a final note, I ask you to assist NCHV with the search and rescue operation to identify Veterans who NCHV is uniquely designed to assist. Your referrals, primarily through our www.HealthyVeterans.org website, are essential to the process. Let the healing begin as we 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.
In The Media
The Iceberg
Bluegrass Veterans Ranch
Calendar
- Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. Scheduled Tourscontact@healthyveterans.org if interested.
- First Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Community Campfire at Valor Farm
Come join us for fellowship!
May 2026:
- Open Arena @ Valor Farm – May 7th & May 21st 7:00pm
- Community Campfire @ Valor Farm – May 7th 7pm
- Volunteer Day @ Valor Farm – May 16th
- NCHV @ Hope Center Dallas Event – May 21st
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nationalcenterforhealthyveterans/event/4thannualdallasveteransappreciationdinner/
Prayer Points
- Pray for leadership in Washington D.C., and for national security at home and abroad.
- We pray for the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.
- 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 for safety and success of ongoing military operations, as well as comfort to the families whose loved ones have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
