Navy Chief and Company Bring Rest and Recovery to NH Warriors!

My dining room is quiet. I am sipping a homemade decaf iced coffee. Not as strong as I would like it, but that's ok. It is reminding me of the last 8 days I spent up north in moose country. Pittsburg, New Hampshire is home to some of the most beautiful animals and breath taking scenery in our state. From the mighty and delicious moose and deer to the swift rabbits, coyotes, and squirrels, its hard to not want to be a hunter. Unless you prefer fishing. The lakes, streams, rivers and ponds offer some of the most unique views and some of the best fishing in the area. Bass, trout, and even bottom feeding sucker fish put up a fight while they are being brought to the surface. In my case, it was on a simple lure that was cast into Back Lake off the bow of a rugged inflatable boat. Regardless of your preference, there is a common thread in the close-knit community of roughly 800 people.

The Warriors At 45 North is a small 501(c)(3) non-profit. Their role is a very simple one and at the same time, very complex. They exist for 1 reason. To allow veterans an opportunity to rest. Period. The concept of this came into existence many years ago when the founder, Jon "Chief" Worrall returned home from Iraq with some significant injuries both physical and mental. Chief went to the cabin he built with is own 2 hands and got "butt deep in rapids" with his fly rod and healed. His mental and physical recovery was aided by the relaxed environment, bountiful fish, and overall calmness he found when he was there. After a while, he decided to see if other veterans would get the same results and he was on to something.

The first year he decided to open his camp to others, Chief brought 1 veteran up. It was extremely successful so he repeated it each of the following years with growing numbers. Then he met Pat "Doc" Phillips, his right hand man. Shortly after that, he met Terry Mangus, his left-hand man. These three sailors along with a very understanding group of support staff have managed to help over 300 physically and mentally wounded veterans find peace and balance in their lives along with giving some a sense of purpose and direction. Some of these folks have told Chief that they were suicidal until they came to rest and relax at his camp. The actual number is unknown, but based on what I have seen and experienced, probably significantly higher than what we know.

So, how does this unique group of men and women carry out their mission every year? Its a very interesting balance. I can't really put an order to how they do what they do, so I will try my best to explain it from the perspective of a warrior. I am a prior service US Marine which makes it a little easier to describe.

The folks up in Pittsburg look out for each other. There isn't alot of money which makes it better. When Chief, Doc, Terry, and the warriors who are at the camp go out to breakfast at The Full Send restaurant, it isn't unheard of for a group of diners or the owner to pick up the tab. When the board of directors for Warriors @ 45 North goes out into the community for any type of support, the local business owners give discounts on products and services. When it is time for raffles to help with fundraising, local folks chip in with donations. I personally saw a business donate a muzzle loader to help bring in some money for the raffle. The greater the need, the more the community seems to respond. Then there is the structuring of activities themselves.

I was up on the June fishing and 4 wheeling trip. I spent 8 days doing just that. There are 4 side by side four wheeling machines. They were either donated or sold to the camp at a significant discount. Then there are the fishing excursions. Chief owns a pontoon boat. There are a couple 1 man pontoon boats and the inflatable I described earlier. Again, donated or purchased at a significant discount. If we were not fishing, we were sitting around a fire smoking cigars and making jokes. At any given time, we would tell a war story or talk about some of our service related problems. The common theme through all of this was simple. There was no one-upping or judgement. Some of us had things worse than others. We all have the common bond of the warrior.

Prior to this trip, I went up to the camp in February. I did an interview with Chief, Doc, and Terry. Because I cannot accurately describe to the reader what these folks said, I will enclose links so you can see for yourself. What I can accurately describe is the environment, the peace, and the shared respect along with the purpose of Warriors @ 45 North.

What I haven't yet conveyed is what Doc also does. He is a registered hunting guide. Doc has sites that he puts warriors in during each season. There are bear hunts, and deer hunts. These hunts are also geared at helping veterans rest. Taking in the scenic forest vies, the crisp northern air and the quiet stillness that only comes from being away from everybody along with the act of the actual hunt does wonders for the mind and body. Being able to be so far away from everything and so close to nature is a therapy session that you cant pay for.

I slept in the bunk house. It is a wonderful structure that sleeps 6 people and was built by warriors for warriors. It was nice and cool inside regardless of the temperature outside. In the morning, I would wake up and go outside to brush my teeth, stretch, and answer the call of nature. Smelling the pines, feeling the cool air start to warm and seeing the sun stream through the gaps in the forest while listening to the chirping birds set the tone for the day to come. Starting off with such awesome calmness made every activity that much more enjoyable.

As much as I want to describe things in words here, no amount of trying will do it any justice. The simple fact remains that the folks up at Warriors @ 45 North know what they are doing. In the bunkhouse and in the cabin are hand prints traced on all of the rafters. Each handprint was put there by someone who enjoyed their time. In each handprint are the dates that the person was there. Several handprints have more than one date range. Bottom line, this place, the whole idea, is something that is so unique and so helpful, that myself and many other warriors would do almost anything to make sure there is continued success. We love and care for it that much.

If you or a loved one are a warrior that needs to rest, please consider Warriors @ 45 North.

-War Machine-