Operation Healing Forces Inc

Navigating the transition process from the military has been very challenging. However, I was recommended by another retired SOF member to look into Operation Healing Forces for support in my new endeavors of going back to school and future entrepreneurship ambitions. I reached out to them and started the process of onboarding and things happened lightning fast. They were extremely responsive and eagerly wanting to cater to my needs. The communication between us, through emails, texts, and a video call was continuous and very productive each time. The whole process was very accommodating and thorough so they could fully understand exactly what I had in mind with regards to the type of support I was inquiring about. They didn't disappoint. This has got to be the easiest and most efficient support I have ever received from an organization. I highly recommend that if you are a SOF veteran, looking for support in any way, please reach out to Operation Healing Forces. They helped me acquire computer equipment in order to support my school work and my personal business building initiatives. They will make you their priority and get you taken care of. Thank you OHF for everything you all did for my family and I!

OHF has been an amazing resource for our family. They took us on a retreat that was extremely beneficial for our marriage. They have also helped with tax resources and therapy costs. This nonprofit is the really doing the work.

I reached out to OHF for support in obtaining alternative therapies for my service connected disability. They responded within a few hours and offered to help that day. Immensely appreciated for their willingness to help and the follow up. Many thanks!

Never been associated with such a great organization as this! With overhead expenses covered by the Board oF Directors, each and every dollar raised goes DIRECTLY to those Special Forces operators for their benefit! At any time, anywhere in the world, these dedicated warriors are always on watch and this organization helps care for those who care for us!

Operation Healing Forces recently facilitated a couples retreat that truly strengthened my family’s bond. We returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and memories that will last a lifetime and stimulated growth with our relationship.

They have been instrumental in helping veterans receive the care they need and deserve, and most importantly, they have saved lives because of it.

Many thanks to Operation Healing Forces for promoting healing and well-being of service members, veterans and their families, helping them when most needed. The impact of OHF’s work is valuable and inspiring.

My experience with OHF can be described as simple and effective. I was able to participate in their relationship with the HatchPath coaching program. It was an easy form to get an established account and then I was ready to benefit from a unique coaching experience. My wife also participated in the same program and again, it was simple, OHF was very responsive, and she believes her experience with HatchPath has changed her life.

I have gotten to know the team at OHF and learned about the mission/operation. I can’t imagine a better team to support and trust with my contribution. Effective but warm, caring and kind at the same time.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Operations Healing Forces for their generous support, particularly for providing funds to access Hatchpath. This platform has been an incredible resource for my mental and physical health and well-being. The impact it has had on my overall wellness is immeasurable, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to use it.

OHF has always been there when I've needed them most, responding quickly and with care in times of need. Their dedication to helping veterans and their families is truly inspiring, and I am deeply appreciative of everything they do. Thank you again for all the support!

I pledge my full support to OHF!

I am a SOF spouse and the operation healing forces has brought a level of peace, relaxation and joy to not only my husband as a vet but to me.

The organization has brought amazing activities, much needed downtime and new friendships .

Thank you for seeing us as what we are… families devoted to our country and in need of some downtime.

I am a veteran with severe lower back pain who gets injections and takes pain meds regularly. The VA provided me the equipment they could under their programs, but I heard about another system that could help reduce my reliance on pain meds and increase the amount of time between injections. The cost was prohibitive for me, but the wonderful people at OHF purchased the device for me and had it sent to me. They were amazing!! They communicated with me to let me know what they needed and they ordered the device promptly. What an amazing organization!!! My son wears an OHF shirt and tells people, “They helped my dad.”

OHF is an amazing organization that really cares for the special operations community. Each person that works for the organization is deeply rooted in service to others and has a strong passion for what they do. My husband and I were lucky enough to experience the gifts of several donors and it was an amazing experience for us full of life long memories. Getting to relax and slow down for a week is a rare thing in this line of work so we were very happy for all the donations that allowed us to do that. We highly recommend this organization to others and love what they have done for our family.

Great organization supporting the health of America’s special operations forces and their families!

Our family has been strong through so many deployments, moves across the world - far from family and friends, starts and stops at schools, and never knowing when/if my husband/their father would return from his latest deployment to combat zones. All of that we weathered as best we could and were doing ok - until we weren't. My husband came back from a deployment with severe injuries about the same time our kids were suffering from the depression related to so much uncertainty and change in their lives from all the turmoil of moves and uncertainty of my husband's health.
We were at a loss and not sure where to turn. The programs we were referred to had so much red tape, wait lists, and none seemed to quite be what we needed. And the someone recommended Operation Healing Forces. Healing truly is what they strive to do. From assisting with getting us much needed medical care for my husband, and mental health care for our children - Operation Healing Forces has moved quickly and thoroughly into the gap that kept my family feeling lost, forgotten, and discounted. While it's not been an easy journey, it has been a tremendous boost knowing that we have the caring individuals at OHF walking alongside us during this journey and helping to make sure we have the tools we need to heal.

It was an amazing experience that allowed much needed time away to reconnect with peers, spouse, and others that have been through similar experiences. A wonderful opportunity every veteran should be a part of.

Military life is complex to say the least. When my husband and I found ourselves struggling to reconnect between, deployments, TDY, two jobs, kids, sports, and school (to name a few). OHF reminded us we have a village behind us. They gave us the opportunity to find the joy in our marriage again. They gave us the strength to lean on our village of strangers who lifted us when we needed it most, asking nothing in return but to have faith in our love, our marriage and our family. There is no greater gift than that in which they gave us. Time. They gave us back time we thought we had lost; time to love, laugh and reintegrate into our day to day life stronger than before.

This was the first time my spouse got to go with me on a wounded warrior retreat and we loved it. We never had a chance to vacation as a husband and wife because we have a disabled daughter. We are so thankful for Operation Healing Forces and their staff who allowed to have a great experience that we will remember forever.

Excellent organization that supports Special Operations families in so many different ways. Thank you for helping ease our family's loss.

OHF paid for my husband and I to get away on a trip that restored our marriage. On that trip, we relearned the importance of taking time away from our busy schedules for us. I could not count on both hands the amount of deployments that my husband has had, which wears on a marriage. The trip that they sent us on truly brought us back to who we were prior to all of the deployments. They also fed my family after I had brain surgery and provided help in any way that we needed. My husband and children were very stressed and OHF sent them gifts. It was the first time in days that I had seen them smile. OHF does so much for special operation military families!!! They have truly been a blessing and impacted our lives in such a wonderful way!! They will always be my first choice as the organization that I donate to!! I know first hand that they truly have a heart for helping others and the great benefits that they provide for families, by allowing them to get away and in an emergency situations. OHF is an absolutely amazing organization!!!

The most caring foundation. They go way overboard for the service member and their spouse on all kinds of awe excursions. What an awesome way to treat veterans and service members !!!!

I cannot overemphasize how important it is for military families to take time to reconnect & heal - the stressors & sacrifices of deployments strain in ways that most people don’t even realize. Operation Healing Forces recognizes this need & provides valuable opportunities for spouses to truly focus on each other without worrying about a single expense. Attendees don’t even have to worry about snacks or drinks - all big & little expenses are taken care of. My husband & I just celebrated our 29th anniversary - I don’t know if we would have made it without marriage strengthening retreats like those that OHF provides. We’re still friends with couples we met & we cherish the time offered by OHF.

Best nonprofit organization.
They really care about our community and military families.
Thank you!! OHF.

How can you put a price on your mental well being? With OHF you don’t have to, it was the experience of a lifetime. The only hard part was getting back to normal life after getting the chance to go on one of the getaways. I can’t say enough great things to the people that work for OHF and the everyone who has shared, continues to share or is thinking about sharing their homes with the special operations service members many who have injuries and aliments we hide. The chance to let the worries of day to day life go away for even a short period of time and reconnecting with our loved ones, makes this a life changing experience.

I am still in awe of how great the OHF family has treated my wife and I. Hats off to Jeff, Tiers & Denise. My family and I have been struggling with our recent PCs, deaths in the family and and my father-in laws stroke. The team lifted us up and brought us to key-west for an incredible experience with other SOF team members. we cried, joked, laughed, shared information and experiences with each other. We created bonds instantly and offered support naturally. We all understand the world we come from, the extensive level of commitment and what we compartmentalize to focus on directed tasks at hand. This trip to Key West allowed us to put our normal mission away and focus on reconnecting with our spouses with the same level of commitment. Not only did it work, I feel inspired by the organization to be an ambassador for them, I know there are more SOF service members serving with me that could benefit from this euphoric, therapeutic journey.

Our experience with Operation Healing Forces has had a tremendous impact on our marriage already. The organization provided the opportunity to bond with others who shared similar experiences and allowed for conversations to not only open up during that time, but those same conversations and more continued even when we were alone. We’ve talked about things that we had never talked about before. Operation Healing Forces genuinely provided a space for military members and their spouses to heal and we can’t thank them enough for that.

We were able to enjoy a retreat with OHF to Naples in August 2022. After 20 years of military service and 18 years of marriage we were finally able to have the opportunity to pause, breath, and focus on one another because of this great organization and the wonderful donors who make it all possible. Thank you for breathing life and energy into us and our family.

OHF gave us an opportunity (wife and I) to really focus on our relationship. This was during transitioning out of the military and it helped so much. We had never been without kids that long (1 week) and since everything was planned/ prepared there was zero stress. Talking to other coupes helped everyone share and build each other up. Thank you.

My journey and experience with OHF was unbelievable. My experiences with Chris Stowe and all of the OHF staff helped my wife and I reconnect at a time we desperately needed it. They separately helped us out during some financially trying times. As I transition from the Marine Corps I will do whatever I can to help this organization move forward with their amazing journey in helping special operations families. There are good non profits out there, there are zero better than OHF!

As a military leader I have referred numerous SOF Service Members to Operation Healing Forces for immediate assistance during times of crisis and/or financial hardship because I know that vital assistance is granted quickly.

Aid from OHF helps to support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of SOF warriors. Their alumni network provides peer and organizational support long after the crisis ends.

OHF is a phenomenal organizationl!! What they do makes such a positive impact for those that they serve!

This organization is a gift sent from heaven for Special Operations Forces families. My wife and I had the greatest retreat during a hard time following several deployments. They took care of us and ensured that we didn’t have to worry about anything. Additionally, the organization helped me pursue a graduate degree as an active duty service member. Their help for my family and I is more than appreciated and I’ll cherish this organization until my last breath on Earth!

One of the common arguments in our house is the temperature at bed time and it came up often. OHF reacted quickly to my request and purchased us a cooling pad for the bed. Now we are both happy at bed time, we can keep the room temperature up and my side is still cool enough for me to get a good night's sleep.

The OHF is an excellent team that's helped my family and me integrate into everyday civilian life after my service and affiliated difficulties. Thank you for all that you do for all SOF veterans.

OHF is amazing and truly awesome for the expedient help they provide when it's needed in real time, with no red tape or delays.

Their staff asks the pertinent questions to expedite and front load everything so the burden on the receiver and/or caregiver is negligible. They really do a great job making sure the process is streamlined so you get the care you need asap without any delay (can't stress this enough).

They respond almost immediately to messages or calls and never disappear on you or ghost you/leave you hanging.

You know you can count on them from the start and they won't leave your side until you get the care you need. This organization is truly a blessing and I couldn't be more grateful and humbled. Great work everyone and thank you!!!

Operation Healing Forces does amazing work and I could not be more blessed to get to know Billy DeLong and the rest of the guys on my retreat. 100% would recommend to other SOF veterans and active duty members to experience the retreat opportunities. From the very beginning OHF brought first class service and support: from the constant communication prior to the trip, the introduction to the hosts, and throughout the entirety of the retreat. I want to thank OHF for giving me the opportunity to spend time and connect on a deeper level with my spouse. Not only that, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to meet and create some lifelong friendships with some other fellow operators. Thank you to our wonderful hosts Paul and Melissa, thank you to the best organizer, coordinator, and program director Billy, and thank you OHF. This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As an Active Duty Soldier, my wife and I would have never been able to afford an
all-inclusive couples retreat like the one Operation Healing Force provided for us. It was also not an experience that we usually would have chosen for ourselves. We typically love hot weather, the sand, and the surf, and this trip allowed us to break out of our standard shell. We loved the crisp, clean air and the opportunity to ride horses through the mountains of Idaho.

In addition to the fantastic rides, my wife and I participated in some great activities
that the ranch provided. We went kayaking, shot traps, rode a zipline, and I even got to
experience my wife shooting both compound and recurve bows for the first time. We were able to relax, have fun and enjoy the ride. It brought us closer together and allowed us to fall in love all over again.

The staff at the ranch made us feel like part of the ranch family and went out of
their way to ensure that we had a fantastic time. All along the way, we got to share this
experience with three other amazing couples from the SOF community. It is something that I am sure that none of us will ever forget.

While sharing these adventures with the other service members, spouses, and
retreat leader, we had many opportunities to discuss the obstacles and scars that we as
service members and our families endure as part of our service. These conversations
provided outside perspective and affirmed that we are not alone in our struggles. It also
provided an outlet to continue the process of healing.

This is an amazing organization and deserves to be recognized for the work for the Special Operations community.

My husband and I participated in a couples retreat in Marco Island, FL through Operation Healing Force (OHF) and I participated in a wives retreat in SC. My husband has served 26 years in the Army, and most of it within the SOF community.

This foundation is truly committed to the saving families and marriages. So many foundations say they support the military, but you don't really know anyone who has benefited, or know what they actually do. I can assure you that we know quite a few SOF couples in our community who have been on the retreat and said it was life giving to their marriage. The retreat saved one of our good friend's marriage from an imminent divorce. They literally had divorce papers in hand, and decided to give it one last shot and went on the retreat and were able to rediscover how much they loved one another. A one week retreat through OHF has done more for our marriage and well-being than any counseling has done.

The retreat leads treated us like we were family, and made sure that every aspect of our retreat was organized and taken care of . We felt like we were VIP and pampered. This is not something we are used to as parents to 4 children where everyone else's needs come before our own needs. During the retreat, we got to take a break from reality, not worry about anything, and just be able to bond with our spouse. We didn't have to worry about how we were going to afford our meals, flights, accommodations. All that was taken care of by the OHF retreat leads. The retreat lead we had were Billy DeLong for our couples retreat and Steph DeZern for my wives retreat. Both retreat leads were from the SOF community, were a class act, and went out of their way to accommodate anything we needed to ensure we had a relaxing and carefree trip. I just kept thinking, "is this for real?" "Someone I don't know is donating their beautiful house to us and the other couples? Someone is willing to buy our meals and plan our activities for the day? " The entire time, we just felt doted on and loved by OHF.

I am beyond grateful to have been selected to attend both retreats. Thank you times a million to the OHF staff, the OHF founders (Gary and Tony Markel) for creating this foundation for Special Ops service members and their families. You are truly a blessing to so many families in the SOF community.

I cannot express my gratitude enough for what OHF has done for me and my family. Our retreat was the first time in 22 years me and my wife had taken a long trip alone without the kids. It allowed us to reconnect and strengthen our relationship as a couple. It was a truly amazing week in a beautiful home in the Bahamas. We will always be grateful for this opportunity. OHF has helped us in so many ways since our trip, from immediate needs support to transition assistance for my unit. Thank you for everything you do for our Soldiers and their families. OHF will always hold a special place in our hearts.

All expenses paid vacation for my wife and I. Much needed time to relax and reconnect.

Amazing organization. They go above and beyond. Has helped my family. Thank you so much.

This organization is one of the best out there. This special operations community has been through so much these last two decades. It's organizations like this one that recognize the sacrifices that have been made and are there at the end of the day to lend a helping hand or to offer some reprieve. Thank you from a SOF spouse who is truly grateful for all you have done for our family!

Top notch organization that takes care of our SOF community. Their program allowed my wife and I some quality time with zero worries. Thank you OHF!

I had surgery a few months ago and recovery had been slow and painful. To make matters worse I got a 2nd degree strain in a hamstring as well. My Doc gave me a script for a medical device that the VA was not able to get for me. I spoke with my advocate and he reached out to Operation Healing Forces and they purchased the device for me in a matter of days. Thank you so much OHF for your support. This organization is a game changer.

Completely life changing experience. It taught me how to make my wife a priority in my life and taught my wife that there are other spouses going through the same challenges we are.

Operation Healing Forces is an extraordinary organization looking to strengthen marriages within the SOF Community. OHF certainly did that with my marriage. Furthermore, OHF also gave me a new perspective in life. There are 22 soldiers a day that commit suicide, because of OHF there's one less now. Thank you so much to the organization and everyone that makes this OHF possible.

OHF provided an amazing opportunity for us to reconnect and strengthen our relationship during our couples retreat. In addition, we met several amazing couples that have had similar experiences and helped us to connect on a deeper level of understanding one another.

I wouldn’t be alive today without OHF. Their volunteers and staff were truly a godsend to my life.

My wife and I have participated in two events with Operation Healing Forces. We were nothing but amazed by the quality, professionalism and treatment we received.

First event was a retreat in Austin, TX with Delio Cervera. My wife and I had an amazing time. Delio was there to help us have a memorable time and I was impressed with the amount of work he put in. My wife still talks about the how much fun she had, and how relaxing it was.

Second event my wife and I participated in was the Dominion Energy Charity Classic PRO-AM golf tournament. Stephanie DeZern was another consummate professional who helped us have the best experience possible. It was amazing to play golf with a SR PGA pro and other veterans. The overall experience was awesome, and we are grateful we were able to attend.

Operation Healing Forces is an excellent non-profit, staffed with excellent folks.

First Picture is My wife and I meeting Chase Rice prior to his concert after the PRO-AM.

Second Picture is Myself and Delio Cervera at a dinner in Austin.

The OHF team is extremely helpful and accommodating when it comes to learning about their organization, what they do and who they serve. They take the time to ensure your questions are answered and that you have an amazing experience with their organization events.

Just awesome met so many great vets and it helped in so many ways

Operation Healing Forces does exceptional things for not only active duty/veteran operators but for their spouses as well. Everyone who is apart of this organization is absolutely incredible and works extremely hard for what they believe in. Not only have they helped my family get through hard times, but have sent my husband and I on a retreat to rekindle our bond and have time together away from daily stressors. I am so thankful for what donors/sponsors do to keep this going and we will forever be greatful and so happy to be apart of this. Thank you OHF!

Life changing for the SOF community. Thankful for OHF in so many ways.

This non profit is amazing and it starts from the top. It was founded by two brothers that are patriots and would do anything to support Special Operations. They allow SOF couples to bond, heal, and connect in a way that creates life changing experiences. The lasting effect from these experiences aren’t temporary, but stand the test of time. Relationships and lives are saved for our country’s most valuable resource; our heroes that make America safe.

I can't thank OHF's enough for their immediate support and the donors that help make this non-profit organization a thing. I was in the hospital for almost a month with my wife by my bedside. She used all her leave and was no longer receiving pay. OHF helped us in a mortgage payment through the financial burden and we couldn't have been more thankful. Thank you to all of those that continue to support the Special Operations community.

Operation Healing Forces helped me realize that I had never, in 24 years, made my wife a priority. The way the event was set up my only responsibility was to spend time with my wife and have fun. It was the best thing to ever happen to me.

I have the pleasure of working with Jim and Operation Healing Forces on a consistent basis and am constantly in awe of the work they do to help active-duty and veteran Special Operations Forces (SOF) heal mentally, physically and emotionally. The level of care and commitment Operation Healing Forces provides to its mission is truly inspiring. They serve those who have bravely and heroically served our country and you cannot ask for anything greater from a non-profit.

I've been working in a volunteer capacity with this nonprofit since 2018. The people who represent this organization are top-notch, hardworking and dedicated to the cause. The work done by OHF is critically important to our special ops forces who are constantly in harm's way on behalf of all of us. I truly believe in the work they do, and highly recommend donating to the organization on any level.

Getting to attend an OHF retreat in 2015, has still impacted our lives to this day. Grateful is an understatement. Operation Healing Forces is a life changing nonprofit!!

Great group for SOF retreats. No B.S., just new friendships and reconnected old ones. Help them when ever we can