EVENTS
Carry the Load - Memorial May
Note - Date & Time for 2025 TBD
Operation Healing will again team up with Heroes on the Water to feed the Carry the Load team as they pass through Portland on the West Coast Route of the 2025 National Relay. We will help prepare and serve a warm meal to the team as they come through Portland. These folks appreciate a good meal as they trek to raise both money and awareness for fallen heroes, while generating support for non-profits. Relay teams start from five different points around the country, covering 20,000 miles, to pay respects and honor our nation’s heroes. They walk, bike, and even tube along the route, regardless of weather. Rallies are held at national cemeteries and other locations along the way, with marchers converging in Dallas TX for a 2-day final Memorial Day weekend event honoring the sacrifices of fallen service members and their families. Ref: Memorial May Events - Relay, Marches & Rallies - Carry The Load
2nd - Operation Healing Alaska Fishing - Chinook Shores Lodge (Date TBD)
We are fundraising and planning for taking the 2nd group of veterans and first responders to Chinook Shores Lodge in Ketchikan, Alaska. They will enjoy camaraderie, fishing, shared meals (perhaps fish or crab they caught that day) and a chance to participate in other local activities. The goal is to provide a healing, restorative, respite with others of similar experience. This is the primary focus of the Operation Healing Board members and volunteers throughout the year. Our key mission is to host healing adventures for veterans and first responders with others who have experienced combat-induced trauma and injuries, to help restore their personal strength and sense of self. Past attendees report that making connections with other veterans was priceless and the experience was truly a chance to heal. For further information on the local Ketchikan area and activities, visit www.chinookshores.com
Click here to view video highlights of our June 2022 trip https://youtu.be/CLBRRrFIIhs
HOW Nehalem River Camping & Fishing Weekend
Now scheduled for July 19-21, 2024.
Operation Healing is looking forward to supporting Heroes on the Water (HOW) again when they host veterans on a river camping and fishing weekend. We help to feed veterans and their families at this wonderful annual event at a beautiful spot along the Nehalem River. Veterans get to fish, kayak and relax together with other veterans at this peaceful spot, and enjoy good food and camaraderie. Truly a healing experience. Operation Healing members are thankful for the opportunity to serve and be a part of this event. Extra S’mores are already on order.
Carry the Load – Memorial May
The 2024 trek is off to a good start, bringing out larger groups to honor and take part in their mission of remembrance and raising charitable contributions.
HEROS ON THE WATER Nehalem River Camping & Fishing Weekend
Operation Healing supported the Heroes on the Water (HOW) for the 7th year at their river camping and fishing weekend for veterans and their families. We helped feed everyone at this wonderful annual event along the beautiful Nehalem River. Fishing, kayaking and relaxing together with other veterans and their families at this peaceful spot is a truly a healing experience. This is a high point for Operation Healing members to again be a part of serving others.
Carry the Load – Memorial May
For the fifth year, Operation Healing teamed up with Heroes on the Water to feed the Carry the Load (CTL) West Coast relay team as they trekked through Portland on the second day of their 32-day march. Relay teams start from five different points around the country, covering 20,000 miles to pay respects and honor our nation’s heroes.
Rallies are held at national cemeteries and other locations along the way, with marchers converging in Dallas TX for a 2-day final Memorial Day weekend event honoring the sacrifices of fallen service members and their families.
Starting in Seattle the previous day, the team walked, biked and rode the CTL bus, arriving at the site of the old Bomber restaurant in Milwaukie, following a flag ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery. They had addressed 250 supporters on Day 1 in Seattle, and shared that they had also reunited and exchanged hugs with a returning gold star family at Willamette. This family endured the loss of both a fire 1st responder and military member during Covid. The CTL march reminds countless others that they are not forgotten.
These folks appreciate a good meal as they trek to raise both money and awareness for fallen heroes, while generating support for non-profits. We helped prepare and serve a hot and hearty meal to over a dozen people, and were joined by some Gold Star families, who accompanied the team as they set off towards Tualatin. Our Portland dinner continues to be a favorite stop for the team members and it’s a pleasure for us rub elbows with these big hearted people, and help to propel these great patriots on their way to Dallas. See Memorial May Events - Relay, Marches & Rallies - Carry The Load for more information and photos of the relays across the country and the final rally on Memorial Day.
HOW Nehalem River Camping & Fishing Weekend
For the 6th year, Operation Healing members supported the Heroes on the Water (HOW) annual event hosting veterans for a weekend of camping and fishing on the Nehalem River. We prepared and served meals for a couple dozen veterans and some of their families, while they came together for fishing, kayaking, sharing friendship, memories and s'mores. Joining other veterans and first responders for this experience on the beautiful Nehalem River is a chance for them rejuvenate and enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air and camaraderie with those of similar experiences, and of course, fresh caught fish. Thank you veterans, for the opportunity to serve you, converse with you and hopefully to be a part of healing.
Operation Healing Alaska Fishing Trip
In June 2022, we hosted five veterans at Chinook Shores Lodge on peaceful Knudson Cove in Ketchikan, Alaska. Chinook Shores Lodge staff were warm and welcoming, and started us off with a truly top notch salmon and halibut bake. As a bonus, two Vietnam L Company Rangers from an adjacent dwelling joined us. These fellows have walked in the shoes of our younger vets, and listening to them reminded the group that they are still here, while offering advice about their journey was especially sobering. Veterans shared valuable insight into their experiences and daily challenges.
Chinook Shores staff provided expert guidance and fishing expertise. Our dedicated cooks provided awesome quality meals throughout the trip. Poor water conditions allowed for time to boat into a protected bay for a nature hike, and a visit to historic Ketchikan, and the Great Alaskan Logging Adventure. We got out bottom fishing, bringing in halibut, rockfish and cod. While tired, vets seemed to be wearing whole body smiles on the trip back to the docks.
Chinook Shores’ general support and solid attention to our staff and veterans had a great effect on the success of our mission. We were also pleasantly surprised and touched by the willingness of local vendors who enjoyed a chance to support our vets. The last night included an interpretive talk from Ambassador and Tlingit elder, Joe Wilson. He speaks from the heart with great respect for our veterans.
Operation Healing staff spent a lot of time listening through the week, enjoying the privilege of lending an ear. We noted that listening is sometimes better than offering advice. The trip was so much more than fishing. Generosity is not lost on these veterans. They welcomed and received real benefit being around others of their like experiences. Healing can be complex and providing this opportunity or a path to healing makes sense. An extended trip offers opportunity to enjoy, relax and truly connect. Importantly, veterans welcomed and received real benefit being around others who understood. And making the trip home complete with fish and crab, expertly cleaned and packaged by the Chinook Shores Lodge staff, was a bonus. Click here https://youtu.be/CLBRRrFIIhs to view a video of the trip.
Carry the Load – Memorial May
Operation Healing teamed up again with Heroes on the Water to feed marchers in the Carry the Load’s Memorial May event, as they passed through Portland on the West Coast Route of the 2022 National Relay. Carry the Load relay teams travel starting from five locations across the country, to pay respects and honor the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes. Propelling these marchers with a good meal helps us support veterans’ causes by partnering with other local service organizations. It was truly a pleasure meeting this great team. Marchers trekked away from our Milwaukie OR dinner location at the Old Bomber site, continuing on their route to meet up with the other four relay teams on May 29-30 in Dallas TX for final events. Everyone, including those who helped prepare and serve the meal to this great group, went away with happy hearts. Ref: Memorial May Events - Memorial May Events Carry the Load
Heroes on the Water Nehalem River Camping & Fishing Weekend
This 5th year of supporting HOW on the Nehalem River marked a welcome return after taking a year off due to COVID. OH volunteers prepared meals in camp. Nearly two dozen veterans plus many family members and kids enjoyed the serene setting including our best weather to date. A number of rainbow trout and one salmon were caught, in addition to crab landed via kayak out on the coast. Friday evening was set up as volunteer night. Saturday evening dinner included our expressed thanks to veterans and patriots and a moment of remembrance for 911.
The Portland and Coast chapters of Heroes on The Water are to be commended for another great event. Brad and Kelly Thayer generously shared their land set along the Nehalem for what was a memorable weekend. Extra S’mores will be added to the list for 2022. Saturday’s evening fire, catching fish, watching kids fish from the bank and good weather allowed enjoyable arm chair camaraderie and family fun.