Veterans, first responders 'reconnect, recreate, rejuvenate' at Moon Eagle River Ranch
SULA, Mont. — Moon Eagle River Ranch is a quiet, wooded haven for military veterans and first responders.
It's run by Veteran's Victory Alliance, a non-profit that brings small groups and local outfitters to help clients enjoy the wonders of nature.
The ranch is made up of 17 acres and is located along the East Fork of the Bitterroot River.
It's a good place to fish.
Victoria Miralda showed NBC Montana all around the ranch and pointed to one of its most striking amenities.
“This backdrop is the Anaconda Pintler National Forest," she said. "So we’re surrounded by a park-like setting.”
Tori, as she is known, purchased the property and founded Veteran's Victory Alliance as a venue to help first responders and wounded military veterans like herself.
“I know for myself," she said of the place, "that it’s provided tremendous peace.”
The former Army Airborne Commander is 100% disabled.
“I had a bad night jump," she said. "So I’ve got a steel plate in my neck, lots of layers of titanium in my back, both shoulders reconstructed and knees and ankles."
But the West Point graduate said the mental scars of 29 years in the Army, starting with Desert Storm, may be more difficult to heal.
She recounts how difficult it was to "repeatedly watch service members under attack and ambush."
"You can't help," she said, " but think there's a family who won't have their father or son back."
Tori said she also has wounds that we're just now starting to talk about.
"We have what we call M.S.T., military sexual trauma," she said. "Being a woman in the Army for 29 years, it wasn't all sunshine and roses."
But when you talk to Tori you don't pick up anger or negativity.
She's friendly and upbeat, with a warm, engaging smile.
However, she said, veterans are often good at hiding their feelings.
Tori's service dog Luna helps her feel safe on sleepless nights.
Over the Fourth of July holiday, she welcomed dozens of veterans, first responders and their families to Moon Eagle for a Mountain Muster.
It was a festive event.
They had a chili cookoff and games for the kids.
Tori and her friends cut a huge celebratory cake for the event.
She said anyone who has experienced trauma can benefit from places like this.
“In the words that John Muir gave us," she said, " Into the woods I go to lose my mind and find my soul.”
She said outdoor activities can help veterans and first responders diffuse stresses that contribute to depression and thoughts of suicide.
“We want there to be very sound mental health fundamentals," she said. " We’re not health professionals but boy, we can share this place with them.”
She said "magic" happens when vets or first responders reconnect in a place that's quiet and safe.
The veteran said you can't find that peace in the noise and chaos of a big city.
"Out here it resonates," he said. "Everybody who comes here, the minute the set foot on these grounds they say, I get it. This is a gift, This is sacred ground."
They can "sit around the campfire and connect with people who get them," she said. "That's why our motto is Reconnect, Recreate and Rejuvenate."
The VVA provides meals, a meeting hall, campground facilities and lodging for clients.
It's a home base for outfitters, fishing guides and other groups to take clients hunting, fishing, horseback riding or other outdoor activities.
“This venue is dedicated to hosting those programs," she said.
The VVA and its volunteers are on a fundraising campaign to raise money to make the area handicapped accessible.
It hopes to build additional cabins or tipis, an archery range and a yoga pavilion.
“Development," she said, " is going very slow and methodical to make sure we don’t ruin any of this open space.”
Trinity McLane is one of many volunteers who are fundraising and putting muscle into improving the project.
She is with Rainbow Girls, a Masonic youth organization.
“It’s the youth’s turn," said Trinity, " to give back to the veterans who gave us our freedoms.”
Sula Fire Chief Christy Bennett is another volunteer.
“I have been here for about the last month, " she said, "helping build the Memorial Garden.”
The circular garden is the nucleus of Moon Eagle.
Flags from all military branches and law enforcement hang high above it.
On the graveled ground there are the beginnings of what will become a brick walkway.
There are already several bricks honoring veterans and first responders.
There are about 40 bricks so far.
But there's room for hundreds more.
They are bricks for the living and for those who have passed away.
At a ceremony, Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton awarded medals to three first responders for heroic actions.
Besides their medals, Lt. Jered Guisinger, Reserve Deputy Andrew Ashford and Cpl. Volodymyr Mykhayluk were awarded bricks with their names on them.
Those bricks are now installed in the Honor Garden.
Leonard Hinton came to the Mountain Muster.
Leonard is a wounded warrior and the recipient of three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
In 1966, he led his team in combat in Viet Nam.
“I got shot twice in one day," he said. " I’m the only survivor of my team.
"It works on you," he said. And he worries about a new generation of warriors.
“This right here with the flags in a circle," he said of the garden, " that’s a big honor."
Leonard lives across the road at the Billy Springer Memorial, a community for veterans.
He takes in everything that Montana is.
“Enjoy that beautiful Montana sky," he said, "and keep your head on straight.”
“Sometimes, the older veterans," said Tori, "can mentor through that and say you know what? You’re gonna be okay.”
