What an incredible way to celebrate SDIA’s 13th Anniversary on July 13 than by hosting the Grand Opening, ribbon cutting and building dedications for our brand new Heroes Ranch Training Facility (HRTF)!
The day started out stormy, but by 10am had turned into a beautiful day. The event began with an invocation given by Neighborhood Church Pastor Joe Liles, followed by a stirring rendition of our national anthem sung by Greg Pearson.
SDIA Chief Operating Officer Mike Miller then introduced our founder & CEO, Lance Nutt. He spoke about the vision and mission of SDIA, and thanked those who have helped this facility become a reality. Guest speakers took the podium and shared what being part of the SDIA mission means to them and their organizations. We heard from Brian Rohauer of Senator John Boozman’s office, Piper Brintnall of Veterans United Foundation, Tracy Dufault of Walmart, and Josh Goldberg of Boulder Crest Foundation.
The HRTF building dedications held a few emotional moments as stories of those honored were shared.
- The north dorm was named Officer Kevin Apple Lodge for Pea Ridge Police Department Officer Kevin Apple who was tragically killed in the line of duty on June 26, 2021.
- The south dorm was named Sgt Nicole Gee Lodge for US Marine Corps Sgt Nicole Gee who lost her life in the devastating Afghanistan airport bombings August 26, 2021.
- The main building was named Tuskegee Hall for the valiant and courageous service of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.
- The classroom in Tuskegee Hall was named the SFC Eric Emond Classroom for Marine and Soldier SFC Eric Emond who lost his life fighting in Afghanistan November 27, 2018. Emond was the first Marine Lance Nutt enlisted into service.
Following the building dedications, Bill Park from Black Rifle Coffee Company presented SDIA with an extremely generous $45,000 check to fund an upcoming Warrior PATHH course.
The Heroes Ranch Training Facility is a $1.2 million dollar debt-free, state-of-the-art facility that represents SDIA’s commitment to providing transformative experiences and support for individuals seeking to enhance their mental wellness through our three pillar approach: Outdoor Adventures (physical activity), Warrior PATHH (mental wellness), and Continued Service/Disaster Response (volunteerism) programs. This remarkable space will empower and guide individuals on their path to healing and personal growth for decades to come.