25 October 2013

Wounded Warriors Find Path to Healing in Alaska

PORT ALSWORTH, Alaska -- American troops have been fighting almost non-stop for more than a decade. Casualties from these wars include both our service members and their families.

Now, a new program is bringing wounded warriors from all over the country to Alaska for peace and healing.

Parched, Wounded Marriages
Their journey begins in a plane -- the main source of transportation to Port Alsworth, a remote Alaskan village located about 150 miles southwest of Anchorage. Wounded warriors and their spouses follow a breathtaking path in their search for healing of their bodies, minds, and marriages.

Landing on a dirt runway begins a week unlike any other. As they exit, they receive a hero's welcome from Port Alsworth residents and the staff and volunteers of Samaritan Lodge Alaska.

"They come off the plane crying because they did not get that type of welcome when they came home when they were wounded because they just came home by themselves," Sandy Lang, the facilities manager of Samaritan Lodge Alaska, told CBN News.

"There was no big parade or anything, and most of them will say, 'I can't believe you did that for me,'" she said. "And it's just the most heart warming thing. They just feel so loved."

The cozy retreat center is an oasis for veterans and spouses parched by war. The humanitarian organization, Samaritan's Purse, runs the program known as Operation Heal Our Patriots

"We want these couples to experience healing -- God's healing in their lives," Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, said. "And I'm not talking just about the physical healing. That's important, but I'm talking about the spiritual and the emotional healing, and also the healing of their marriages."

7 comments:

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Excellent program!!!! Our government and this country need to do more for all of our soldiers. The military soldiers do so much for our country.

Samaritan's Purse and Operation Heal Our Patriots are wonderful organization.

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, Sandy. There was nothing like that when I got out, back in the Dark Ages. :)

Teresa said...

What lovely people. I know there are also plenty of those serving who have not been wounded who deserve something like this too. :)

Rev. Paul said...

I couldn't agree more, Teresa. It's a wonderful thing.

Cathy said...

People are good.
It's always heartwarming to hear about the ways people reach out to those in need.

Rev. Paul said...

Exactly, Cathy. We need to hear more stories like this.

joated said...

Very nice!