PUEBLO, Colo.—Brian Flemming survived the detonation of three roadside bombs with some very bad burns.
Dave Roever took him under his wing and became a mentor to him during a Wounded Warrior Alliance session at Eagles Summit Ranch.
“Now he speaks worldwide and nationwide, and he will come back and mentor other wounded warriors,” said Brenda Janssen, who works at the Westcliffe ranch.
Roever, who was badly burned when a phosphorous grenade exploded in his hand while serving in the Vietnam War in 1969, has helped the healing process for about 300 wounded warriors since the Eagles Summit Ranch opened Sept. 11, 2007.
“He (Roever) wants guys who feel like him—to see that life is not over just because this happened,” said Kathy Wampler, vice president of the Eagles Summit Ranch. “They learn how to share their story and every time they share it gets easier.”
Often, wounded warriors leave the ranch with the tools to be motivational speakers or evangelists. Or they leave feeling as though the healing has begun and they are better equipped to communicate.
Wampler shared how Roever’s Eagles Summit Ranch came to be during a tour last week with Liberty Action Group members from Pueblo. The group got a huge “thank you” from the ranch staff after raising $1,000 during a Christmas auction.
“We are not a large group and last auction we raised $700 for the veteran’s nursing home in Florence, so we were really happy to have been able to raise even more money with this auction,” said Jennifer Lorensen.
Besides taking classes about public speaking and telling their stories, the soldiers can have some rest and relaxation—riding four-wheelers, horseback riding, hiking, spending time in the gym or soaking in a hot tub.
A good majority of the soldiers come from Fort Carson, and not all have obvious wounds. Sometimes wounds are emotional.
The peeled-log and stone, sunny ranch home with rustic decor is a colorful spot where the soldiers can stay and study during a weeklong journey. It was built by Roever with donations, none of it government money. Continued donations ensure soldiers stay for free.
“The reason this spot was picked was Dave wanted it to be in a remote and beautiful place,” Wampler said.
Janssen, the employee who works as tour guide, said soldiers often arrive as quiet and distant men and women, and by the time they leave, she sees them opening up and beginning to be able to make sense of their situation and how to release their frustrations.
“Sometimes they are mad at the world and they don’t want to say anything, but after a week of nothing but love and support, they leave changed,” Wampler said.
