"Real" Veterans - and more yoga offerings
The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it.
Memories need to be shared.
~The Giver by Lois Lowry
Dearest Veterans, Donors, and Supporters:
Incredibly, we’re about to host our seventh Mission Flexible retreat!
Our first adventure of 2024 was spectacular. It was the first time we had more women than men joining us — which I find significant.
Many female Veterans say they feel that their military service is not as valued as men’s service, and some even feel like they are not “real” Veterans. This breaks my heart, but it shouldn’t be a surprise when you hear their stories.
One of our MFers was pulling into a Veteran parking spot when a man approached her to say she wasn’t allowed to use that spot unless her husband was with her. She is a Marine, and said it was a good thing she wasn’t armed at the time…
I’ve also heard from both men and women who feel undeserving, or like there is another Veteran who had it worse and needs the support more. But we are not competing in the suffering Olympics here. There is space for all of our experiences.
One of our missions is to help people overcome those feelings of unworthiness or imposter syndrome. To be part of Mission Flexible is to be in a place of reciprocity. Yes, Veterans receive support and tools for coping with challenges. But they also support others by showing up, sharing their story, and embracing their authentic selves.
Many of our Veterans have found a deep feeling of purpose in helping each other. They share various skills on retreats, stay connected between events, do Battle Buddy Checks, and even travel to other states to visit one another. This is not about simply receiving charity — it’s about the ways we can show up for each other.
People often ask about the eligibility requirements to apply for a retreat. We don’t believe in having requirements for deployments, combat experience, or a certain diagnosis. If you served and are ready to show up with an open mind and heart to do some challenging work to improve your life — you might be a great fit for MFers.
It’s incredibly meaningful to watch our community grow to include more people who have gone without proper support in the past. It’s all about cultivating a sense of belonging — an essential part of being human.
I can’t wait to see what is next - thank you for being part of it.
Here is the recap of our January retreat:
Friendship bracelets, cold plunge, and goat cuddling.
More yoga!
We are thrilled to announce that we are now offering additional Veteran-led online yoga classes. We now have yoga, meditation, and pranayama breathing offerings every week! They are free, beginner-friendly, and open to all Vets.
Click here for the schedule and registration
Upcoming Retreats
In 2024, we are expanding to new locations including West Virginia and Massachusetts. Applications are open for all of this year’s retreats - although there is a waiting list for the March program. You can find information and applications here.
Thank you for reading, friends. If you would like to support our work with a donation, please know that 100% of your contribution goes to providing this vital mental wellness and suicide prevention work. Retreats cannot happen without your contributions - of any amount - to help those who sacrificed so much. Thank you.
And if you missed any of our recap videos from past retreats, they are all collected here:
Sept 2022 - Camp for All, Burton, TX
January 2023 - Lotus Ranch, Wimberley, TX
May 2023 - Seven Oaks, Madison, VA
August 2023 - Skyland Camp, Clyde, NC
November 2023 - Camp for All, Burton, TX
January 2024 - Lotus Ranch, Wimberley, TX
Follow us for updates!
Or find your awesome new MFer shirt/mug/sticker/whatever
Thank you for reading, and being part of the Mission Flexible community. We’re grateful for you.
Much love,
~Lisa and the entire MFam.