WARRIOR BONFIRE PROGRAM

The Warrior Bonfire Program is designed to meet a critical need throughout the United States to provide much needed mental health and peer support to combat wounded Veterans through recreational therapy, peer to peer support, and Post-traumatic healing. We are a 501c3 organization founded and led by Veterans to support and honor the immense number of Purple Heart recipients throughout the nation. Our signature program, the Bonfire retreat, Bonfire Retreats are recreational therapy based, multi-day events that are reserved primarily for six Purple Heart Veterans. Bonfire retreats provide opportunities for wounded veterans, in small groups of six, to enjoy a favorite activity while partaking in the camaraderie and therapeutic value of spending time around the bonfire with fellow veterans while promoting Post-Traumatic Healing and the building of support communities, fostering healing and improving lives. Each retreat is concluded with a bonfire including a U.S. Flag retirement ceremony providing participants with an opportunity to honor fallen comrades. In the later part of 2012, the vision of the Warrior Bonfire Program began to form in the mind of our founder, Dan Fordice, as he often sought ways to serve and help his fellow veterans who suffered from injuries both physical and mental. Dan served for a total of 13 years between the U.S. Army and the Mississippi National Guard and it is truly his passion to find resources and connections to relieve any possible obstacle. Dan found himself in a conversation with SFC (RET. USA) Charles Gregory Williams, who sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury when a Rocket Propelled Grenade struck and exploded 50-Cal ammunition box two feet from his head and was later medically retired in November 2011 for wounds received while in combat. Greg commented that he could spend a full day with a PhD certified counselor and not come close to the therapeutic value of sitting around a bonfire with five or six guys who were there. Dan quickly responded, “We will provide the bonfire!”. In January of 2013, the organization held its first Bonfire Retreat at Valley Park, Mississippi with the second retreat coming to Grand County, Colorado in February 2013. The Bonfire has been burning ever since.