- Combat Veteran Retreats -

“We stand alone together. . . .”

Press: Spokesman-Review

DEER LAKE, Washington – In a field on the shores of this idyllic Stevens County lake on Friday, Ted Bookless and 13 other men paired up for a series of exercises that paled in comparison to what each had faced in combat.

But this was a different kind of challenge. Bookless, 55, stood across from a fellow veteran three decades his junior and the two men leaned forward, palms together, forming a bridge with their arms in a sort of mutual trust fall.

VCR hosts four-day retreats to guide combat veterans toward a path of healing. Our retreats foster fellowship through recreation and shared challenges with the goal of turning strangers into brothers and sisters.

Activities include:

  • Ropes courses
  • Kayaking rock climbing
  • yoga
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Native American sweat lodges
  • Archery
  • Boating
  • Trap shooting

Throughout our retreats, veterans work with trauma clinicians and peer mentors to share effective reintegration tools, rebuild trust, confidence, and companionship.

Each evening, participants gather around a fire circle to explore common postwar readjustment challenges and to share their hardships and successes. Our retreats are founded on proven methods, which orient the mind, body, and soul to healing after combat.

At the forefront of our retreats are the spiritual healing that stems from the leadership and direction of our Spiritual Team Leader, Roger Vielle—Blackfeet Tribal Nation.

Roger Vielle was raised by his grandparents on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana. As a Native Veteran, he shares his story publicly about why he chose to serve our great nation, explains his deployment at the end of the Vietnam War, what it was like to return home, and how Veterans Community Response (VCR) found its way into his life to help develop the skills to navigate his postwar challenges and to lead a productive and satisfying life after serving our great country.

As a Blackfoot, his spirt belongs with the Creator and all we see in life. It is with this strong spiritual connection that Roger leads VCR's spiritual and cultural teams. He is a big man with a big heart.

Before one enters the sweat, he or she yells out, "Mitakyue Oyasun": All my relations. Then, one would shout, "'Say your name,' come home!" This is the calling of your spirit to return to you after battle.

During the retreat sweats, Roger's leadership and understanding of the affects of combat invites so many of our combat veterans to truly "come home." Yes, sometimes we need others to make real change and recovery in one's life and Roger and the mission of VCR offer this to so many veterans that are lost and isolated.