Letter to a friend... by Daniel Burge
I am back from my retreat with Project Sanctuary. It has been incredible for me and my wife to enjoy the time we had with many other Military families just like us. It is really hard to integrate back into the world after being at war.
Project Sanctuary has been incredible! I cannot believe that they have actually given back to the families.
When I signed up for the military, I knew that the benefits would be good, but when it comes to the families they are really only taken care of medically and for insurance reasons. The military really does not provide the counseling resources that we need and the help that we require emotionally when we come back.
After this third tour of mine, it has been a little different for us. Most of my enlistment has been during this Global War on Terrorism. Since I came back from deployment, you have spent a lot of time with me and my wife. What you don't see is the time that I just don't want to be around people… much less family and friends. You have only seen us at my welcome home party and other parties. Other than that, I haven't been around. It is just tough to be integrated back into the world and into our lives again.
Project Sanctuary has helped us out tremendously. They provided us with such an amazing environment to reconnect. My wife and I have not had the time we need to readjust to each other until this retreat. It was needed desperately!!!
We were able to attend Marriage Counseling, Financial Counseling and Parenting Classes. We do not get these through the military, and they are so crucial when getting back from deployments. On top of that they have given us time to enjoy activities with other families. We did some white water rafting, horseback riding, zip lining, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and a lot more activities. The most important thing is that they have given back to us.
Project Sanctuary has really given us the help and resources that we have needed since I returned. It is so important to me that we do this for other families that are returning as well as other veterans that have not been given the opportunity to be taken care of.
There is an event coming up that in need of help with raising money for this program: Friday, June 25th: Blake Anderson and CU Football Reunion – so lots of star players will be there. It will be at Harpo’s Sports Grill, 2860 Arapahoe, Boulder, Colorado. They will do pass the hat and a silent auction. It’s $20 to get in, and that includes beer, wine and appetizers.
I really need to do something for other families like mine that have been through the same thing as mine. It is extremely important to give back since they sacrifice so much.
Always,
Daniel
