Our last program was provided by Rotarian Steve Solomon.  Steve’s guest speaker was Scott Bill.  Scott Bill is the founder of the Brian Bill Foundation.  The Brian Bill Foundation was founded in 2014 as a 501(c)3 tax exempt national nonprofit charity dedicated to protecting and preserving the wellbeing of Navy Special Warfare Operators, Families and surviving gold Star Parents. The Brian Bill Foundation has established “Brian’s House”, a retreat house where Navy Special Warfare Families and Gold Star Parents can find comfort, support and healing. Brian’s House will offer programs that allow families the space and freedom to connect with nature, forge relationships and renew their inner spirit. The Naval Special Warfare Community puts their lives on the line every single day. The Operators are out there defending our country and our freedom while their families are back at home experiencing depression, anxiety, and sometimes divorce. These families make significant personal sacrifices that ordinary family members would never have to consider.  There are 30,000 suicides reported every year in the United States. Veterans account for roughly 20% of these victims. 30% of these Veterans are also struggling with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are programs to help but they just don’t reach people quickly enough to make a difference. Every day matters for Navy Special Warfare families needing support. Federal support is clearly stretched thin and is difficult to receive, and the overwhelming majority of support services that are available focus on individual personnel, all but ignoring the sacrifices made by their families. Brian’s House will be a secluded and peaceful retreat home in the Florida Keys where Navy Special Warfare families can find comfort, support and healing.  Brian’s House offers programs that allow families the space and freedom to connect with nature, forge relationships, and renew their inner spirit. Only five families will attend the retreat at a time. This ensures that each family’s specific needs are met and that all family’s are provided dedicated time for their personal situations.  Retreats include the entire family, children and spouse. This enables the family to heal together with everyone understanding their role and importance to the overall process.  Retreats are held in a secluded environment, without the interruption of cell phones, TVs or internet. We create a sanctuary, a place of healing outside of day-to-day responsibilities for families to relax and begin the process of self-improvement.  There are no costs for the families at Brian’s House.. All travel, food, counseling expenses are paid for by the Brian Bill Foundation.  A follow-up program provides service and support to give these families the best chance of navigating through ever growing problems such as divorce, suicide, child and spousal abuse.If you wish to contribute to this effort check out their website: www.BrianBillFoundation.org

Submitted by Mike Arndt

November Club Anniversaries