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Volume 51, No. 17
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
VALOR Retreat Honors Veterans with Getaway By Rose Nemunaitis editor@geaugamapleleaf.com U.S. Army veteran Larry Teichman has a vision — to create a tranquil respite for fellow comrades and their families as a gesture of appreciation for all they have given to their nation. On Jan. 22, his dream — to build VALOR Retreat at High Rock in Hocking Hills — came one step closer to reality. Community members gathered last Wednesday at Ohman Family Living at Briar in Middlefield for a silent auction benefitting VALOR Retreat, a Geauga-based 5013c charity that connects veterans to services offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Teichman — who served as a second lieutenant in the army and is president of Caritas Financial in Chester Township — along with the entire organization, hopes to raise $3 million total to construct a lodge and cabins at Hocking Hills. But, just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, VALOR Retreat will be created in phases as money becomes available, said Teichman, president of the organization, Jan. 28. He added the auction represented the first phase of their fundraising campaign. VALOR — which stands for “veterans are loved owed respected” — is a worthwhile organization to support, said Kim Richards, Cardinal High School art teacher. Richards said Ohman Family Living reached out to the district at the start of the school year asking if students would participate in the fundraising event.
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The Erik Burkett family, pictured with his wife, Melissa, looks forward to the completion of VALOR Retreat in Hocking Hills. The Marine Corps veteran became an assault pilot and, in 2012, during his sixth deployment, he was critically injured in an operation in Morocco. His injuries eventually resulted in amputations of both of his legs.
“We were very excited to have scholars from all three buildings agree to create and submit pieces for the silent auction in support of the VALOR Retreat,” said Richards, whose event also included donated professional artists’ works. Seven high school, three middle school and 10 elementary art students participated. “Art is such a powerful form of
communication and it was extremely rewarding to watch these scholars draw on their inspirations about veterans to create their pieces for this auction,” Richards said. “Our veterans sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom. This is the very least we can do to show them our support and our respect for that. I think VALOR Retreat is such a wonderful resource for our
local veterans and how fortunate they are to have quick, local access to services right here in the community.” The Hocking Hills retreat, located at a 197-acre private reserve, will include a fully-equipped handicap-accessible lodge for combat veterans and Gold Star families to unwind and enjoy outdoor recreational activities and therapeutic services, Teichman said. “To look forward to having a place where you can show up and have no anxiety and enjoy God’s creation is priceless,” said USMC Maj. Erik Burkett, who serves on VALOR Retreat’s board of directors. “It’s beyond the visible wounds. There are neighbors struggling with demons and to be able to relax means everything.” Burkett, a Paralympics athlete and archery coach, said in April 2012, two weeks into his sixth deployment, he was flying an MV22B during Operation African Lion when his plane suddenly went into an uncontrolled flight and crashed in Morocco. He suffered major lower limb, lung and ocular nerve damage. His injuries eventually resulted in amputations of both of his legs. Burkett lives with his wife, Melissa, in New Castle, Penn., with their six children in a specially adapted smart home made possible by the Gary Sinise Foundation. He travels the world with his sport and said it is a blessing to veterans when accommodations are handicap accessible since many are limited. He said having VALOR Retreat address all of these needs See VALOR • Page 5
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