Remembering and Honoring Our Veterans Every Day of the Year
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19
Alex, his wife Silvia, and their family arrived at their first Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway dealing with the far-reaching effects of post-traumatic stress. Alex served for 15-plus years as a Mortuary Affairs Specialist in the Army, honoring fallen soldiers by recovering their remains on the battlefield and ensuring they were brought back home for proper burial.
American Veterans make great sacrifices to serve our country and protect our freedoms. Like Alex, they often return to civilian life with visible and invisible wounds, including post-traumatic stress. Every day our country loses too many heroes to suicide.
“Each and every mission I did for 15 and a half years will stick with me forever. In the Army, I had to learn how to shut down my emotions during duty, but once I got home, my emotions started showing up, and I couldn’t control it. I tried to commit suicide three times.”
Alex
In addition to serving in both Iraq and Kuwait, Alex’s unit arrived first on the scene at the Pentagon on the day of the 9/11 attacks.
“I was speechless when I got to the Pentagon. It was a scene of destruction like a real-life horror movie. I have no words to explain it.
When I first came to Warrior Getaway, I couldn’t even talk about it. But now I can tell my story, sometimes with tears, because Warrior Getaway gave me the tools and hope I need to survive.”
Alex
Joni and Friends seeks to honor and come alongside American Veterans and their families who give so much to protect our nation.
That’s why we hold Warrior Getaways, to provide a place of respite, healing, community, and restoration for warriors and their families.
For many Veterans, Warrior Getaway provides a turning point from despair to hope.
“Warrior Getaway helped me overcome my demons. At Warrior Getaway I know my fellow Warriors have my back and I have theirs.”
Alex
Each year on September 11th our Pennsylvania Warrior Getaway holds a candlelight vigil to honor the fallen and the heroes of 9/11. For Silvia, seeing Alex hold a candle at that vigil brought new hope.
“I’m so proud of Alex. Seeing him holding that candle is an amazing sight that I will always cherish because it represents healing. Our whole family has grown spiritually and emotionally at Warrior Getaway. Here, we get closer to God,”
Silvia
Joni encourages Veteran families to come to Warrior Getaway. She extends the invitation to make friends with Jesus, the Prince of Peace—the only one who can offer complete healing. Alex agrees:
“I want other Warriors to go to Warrior Getaway. Warrior Getaway shows me that with God, everything is possible. I want other Veterans to know they are not alone. There is hope. Christ is on your side.”
Alex
You can make a difference for Veterans and their families today. Your gift to Joni and Friends will make more Warrior Getaways—and more hope and healing—possible for American heroes and their loved ones.
Support Families Going to Warrior Getaway!
Honor and support Veterans and their families by providing sponsorship to a Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway.
