My Nonprofit Reviews

In the year 2019, I found myself standing at the precipice of life's most profound transitions. After a decade of unwavering service in the army, I left with a sense of purpose, but my heart weighed heavy from the recent loss of my father. It was then, with the most precious thing in my life - my sons - in mind, that I took a leap into the unknown. I sold my house in Tennessee, ventured to the uncharted landscapes of Maine, a place where I knew no one, and prepared to face life anew.

As I gazed upon the boundless expanse of the Maine wilderness, my thoughts often turned to my father. He was a man who would have seized every opportunity presented by these wild terrains. However, I was unskilled in the ways of hunting and fishing, endeavors that epitomized his passions. My early forays were marked by disheartening failures – empty fishing nets and the elusive nature of deer deepened my frustration.

Then, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of a friend who reached out to me. They introduced me to Operation Reboot, a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering veterans transformative experiences. It was during one of their trips, a chance to learn the art of smelting, that my life began to change. I decided to seize this lifeline, motivated by the belief that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The days spent with Operation Reboot's team had the familiar camaraderie and banter of my military days, a comforting reminder of a world I had left behind. However, it was during a second trip, an invitation to join a bear hunt, that a profound transformation began to unfold. In a stand, motionless for five hours, I finally forged a connection with the natural world surrounding me. A deep realization emerged – hunting and fishing were not just about the act of taking life, but rather, a unique opportunity for a man to engage in an unfiltered dialogue with himself, confronting the complexities of life head-on. The catch, whether it be a fish, bear, or deer, was not the essence; it was the illumination of the human soul.

Operation Reboot's support allowed me to discover a newfound sense of inner peace and purpose amidst the wilderness. My days are no longer dominated by the agony of frustration and self-anger. I am now equipped to pass on these invaluable skills to my children, carrying forward the legacy my father would be proud of.

To crown it all, I did, in fact, capture that elusive bear. Operation Reboot has woven an indelible thread of change throughout my life. It has enabled me to rediscover myself, offering me the solace and reconnection to nature I was so desperately seeking. My gratitude towards Operation Reboot knows no bounds. They have touched my life profoundly, and I am deeply honored to be a part of their mission to bring renewal to veterans like myself.