Welcome
Dear Friends of the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm,
One of my beloved Grandmother’s favorite sayings was “Many hands make light work!” Consistent with this axiom, this month’s theme is Volunteerism. In short, we at the National Center for Healthy Veterans are extremely grateful for the Army of Volunteers (numbering over 700) who make “light work” of the many tasks performed at Valor Farm. We simply could not fulfill our mission of “Returning Healthy Veterans to America” without this cast of selfless servants.
During October, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on a beautiful Fall night at Valor Farm. This was a time to recognize the thousands of hours of volunteer labor which have impacted every area of our NCHV operation. Literally every day there are volunteers at Valor Farm who help us help Veterans. They are the primary reason we have been able to progress so rapidly in a short four years. NCHV staff and Patriots alike are thankful.
Gratefully the work is also meaningful to our volunteers, sensing that they are part of a team, essential to a higher calling, and growing in their skills and their service. We take it as our NCHV responsibility to ensure our volunteers have the right equipment, protective safety measures, leadership, comradery, and meaningful work assignments. If you are already part of our volunteer operation, we thank you. If not, I encourage you to join this high speed team of Valor Farm Volunteers… try it, you’ll like it!
Let me remind local friends of NCHV to join us on Veterans Day, November 11, 4 PM, for a powerful commemoration in our indoor riding arena, keynoted by Marine Veteran and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears. This has become a regional highlight each year to honor America’s Veterans. I recommend you arrive early to avoid the last minute traffic. We hope to see you there. To register, you can go to NCHV Veterans Day Registration.
Here’s some other news from Valor Farm:
- Plays of the Day – Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Market Upgrade, LU Football Discounted Game Tickets, and Soldiers Cross
- Meet the Team – Zac Farrell, Market Manager
- Diving Deeper – A dear couple makes a legacy gift to Valor Farm, setting an example for others.
- In The Media – VetComm Video, Murph Challenge, Cleveland Radio Interview
- Prayer Points – Join us in prayer as we continue to support and empower Veterans.
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
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner – This month, we were able to hold a night of celebration and recognition for all of the hard work our volunteers have given us over the last year. Our own cowboy, Jake, provided us with entertainment, and we had the privilege of recognizing some of our volunteers.
Market Upgrade – We were able to complete the new tiling in our market. Come visit us for the grand reopening on November 9th from 10-3 to see the upgrades and catch our one day only FLASH SALE on ground beef for $1.99!
Liberty University Discounted Football Tickets Benefiting NCHV – At Liberty University’s Football Game on November 23rd a portion of the ticket sales using this link goes back to NCHV.
| Soldiers Cross – The Military Order of the Purple Heart provided a beautiful soldiers cross for us, which now resides in the honor garden in front of our main office. |
Zac Farrell – Market Manager
Zac is the Market Manager at the Healthy Veterans Market and a dedicated former Marine. He began his journey as a volunteer in May 2020 and became one of the first graduates of the NCHV program. Over the years, he has held various roles at Valor Farm, including farming manager and equipment operator, contributing significantly to the farm’s growth and progress.
In addition to his professional development, Zac has experienced personal growth through treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which have helped him heal physically and emotionally. As a combat veteran, he is passionate about supporting fellow veterans and understands the challenges they face. In May 2023, he renewed his faith and was baptized, deepening his spiritual journey within the Valor Farm community.
Zac has a wide range of hobbies, with a particular passion for astronomy. He enjoys stargazing with multiple telescopes and shares this interest through his home observatory. His contributions as a staff member, veteran, and patriot have made him an invaluable part of the NCHV family, and he continues to inspire those around him.
Diving Deeper
Our Charitable Legacy…
Russ and JoAnne’s Charitable Legacy began when we were married in 1986. Russ was active-duty Navy at the time, with Russ retiring in 1999 from the reserves. The military was part of our life, along with being part of a 2nd generation military family.
Why We Chose a Charitable Legacy –
Although there are many levels of donor possibilities, the Charitable Legacy is unique and the perfect option for us. A Charitable Legacy is a wonderful way to continue to support veterans with lasting outcomes. After consultation with a lawyer, our decision was to donate our estate through a Trust.
Both Russ and I feel honored to do this – knowing that our estate will go towards a great cause. We appreciate the National Center of Healthy Veterans and their desire to help veterans navigate the challenges of trauma and transition. We also appreciate the folks who honorably served our country in the pursuit of liberty for others – we can’t say that enough!
NCHV Note: We are grateful to Russ and JoAnne for this amazing legacy gift which will support Veterans for decades to come. We certainly encourage others to consider similar legacy giving. NCHV has a partnership with the National Christian Foundation which provides expertise regarding donation of complex assets (land, real estate, stocks and bonds, trusts, and other assets) to ensure best stewardship. To find out more, please call 888-317-4677 for further information
VetComm Video – We were thrilled to welcome a visit from VetComm this month. Check out this awesome video they made for us!
Murph Challenge – This month was the second annual Murph challenge, an entirely student-led CrossFit challenge dedicated to honoring the brave American patriots who sacrificed for the United States, while raising awareness of the 22 veterans who tragically lose their lives to suicide each day. We are so proud of these student’s hard work and support of our organization.
Cleveland Radio Shoutout – General dees did a radio interview with the Cleveland radio station. Watch this awesome shoutout he did.
- 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!
OCTOBER 2024
- Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Valor Farm – Oct 10
- New York City Boat Cruise in honor of Healthy Veterans – Oct 17
- Murph Challenge at Liberty University on behalf of NCHV – Oct 19
NOVEMBER 2024
- 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 21
- Healthy Veterans Appreciation Brunch in Richmond – Nov 22
- National Center for Healthy Veterans discount for Liberty University Football – Nov 23
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 and families who are suffering with PTS/PTSD and other mental and emotional issues.
- 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.”
